Ex-India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin feels Chennai Super Kings missed out by not signing Cameron Green in the IPL 2026 auction. The Australian was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 25.20 crore, setting a new record for the most expensive overseas player in IPL history.

The auction for Cameron Green kicked off with Mumbai Indians at Rs 2 crore, followed by Rajasthan Royals and KKR. The bidding escalated past Rs 8 crore and Rs 13 crore quickly. CSK’s late entry drove the price over Rs 20 crore, but KKR ultimately outlasted them to secure the star all-rounder.

Ashwin felt the five-time title holders were hesitant at the auction table, while lauding KKR for showing conviction.

“We ran a mock auction and it was clear very early that his price wasn’t likely to cross 30 crore. Had CSK shown a bit more patience similar to how franchises like Punjab approach their bidding—the outcome could have been different,”Ashwin said on Ash Ki Baat.

“If things had gone that way, CSK would have stepped away from the Cameron Green auction earlier. Their approach suggested necessity more than conviction, as if the decision wasn’t fully thought through. From my point of view, Cameron Green would have fit brilliantly into CSK’s setup, so in that respect, they might have let a valuable opportunity slip. This isn’t about the money, though. Green is a once-in-a-generation player, and for KKR it’s a superb signing,” Ashwin added.

Cameron Green, who has played for Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has proven himself as a seam-bowling all-rounder. In 29 IPL matches, he scored 707 runs at an average of 41.58 with a strike rate over 153, including a century, and claimed 16 wickets, making valuable contributions.