With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction just a couple of months away, cricket fans are bracing themselves for yet another thrilling spectacle where franchises will battle fiercely for top-tier talent. The focus, as always, is on Australia, whose players have consistently set the highest price tags in the history of the league.
From Pat Cummins to Mitchell Starc, Australian cricketers have ignited bidding wars, emphasizing the incredible value placed on their skills, both in the batting and bowling departments. Now, the spotlight has shifted to Cameron Green, the all-rounder set to be the marquee player of this year’s auction.
Cameron Green: The magnet of the IPL 2026 auction
Green, the explosive Australian all-rounder, is ready to become the star attraction of the IPL 2026 auction. His current form heading into the auction has been nothing short of spectacular, highlighted by his 118 runs off 55 balls against South Africa in an ODI, showcasing his rare ability to strike the ball at a phenomenal rate. This return to power-hitting form is particularly crucial as Green makes his comeback after a year-long absence from the IPL in 2025.
Green had to sit out IPL 2025 due to a back surgery for a stress fracture in his L4 vertebrae, which ruled him out for an extended period. During his absence, he focused on recovery, ensuring he was fit and raring to return for the 2026 season. His previous IPL campaigns, notably the 2023 season with Mumbai Indians (MI) and 2024 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), have shown that he is a game-changer. In the 2024 season, Green scored 255 runs and took 10 wickets, proving his value with both bat and ball.
Despite dealing with low-grade side soreness recently, Green’s injury is a precautionary measure, and he is expected to be fully fit ahead of the IPL 2026 season. This makes him an attractive and low-risk target for franchises willing to invest heavily in his all-round abilities. Whether it’s batting in the middle order or providing key seam-bowling options, Green brings unmatched versatility to any team. He is poised to be the centerpiece of intense bidding wars, and franchises with deep pockets will be eager to secure his services.
5 franchises that can target Cameron Green in the IPL 2026 auction
1. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
The Chennai Super Kings are strong contenders to secure Cameron Green, especially after a disappointing 2025 season that exposed critical gaps in their middle-order hitting and pace-bowling depth. CSK’s strategy often hinges on acquiring versatile, high-utility players, and Green fits the mold of a player who can deliver with both bat and ball in the crucial phases of a match.
With several high-value overseas players likely to be released, including Devon Conway, CSK is anticipated to have one of the largest available purses, giving them the financial firepower necessary to outbid rivals. Green would serve as an aggressive, long-term middle-order anchor and finisher, providing the necessary pace support that CSK has historically struggled to find outside of their main spearheads, thereby securing the core of their lineup for the post-MS Dhoni/Ruturaj Gaikwad captaincy era.
2. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Green’s former team, will be highly motivated to bring the Australian back into their fold. RCB’s Director of Cricket publicly confirmed that they would have retained Green if he hadn’t been injured, indicating a strong belief in his strategic fit within their setup.
RCB consistently seeks a high-impact overseas all-rounder to provide balance, allowing them to pair the required pace-bowling support with explosive middle-order hitting, a combination Green offers perfectly. Having cleared their foreign bench of underperforming or high-cost players, RCB is financially poised to launch a significant bid. Green offers a potent solution to their perennial death-overs hitting deficiency and bowling inconsistencies, making him a primary target to complete their core.
3. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Kolkata Knight Riders are facing an imminent need to identify a long-term, high-quality successor to their long-serving all-rounder, Andre Russell. Cameron Green provides the closest profile to a genuine pace-bowling power-hitter capable of commanding the lower-middle order.
KKR’s financial position is likely to be robust, particularly if they execute a planned release or trade of an expensive Indian contract like Venkatesh Iyer, which would immediately free up substantial capital. By securing Green, KKR can address multiple team balance issues simultaneously: adding stability to their top four or providing devastating finishing power at number six, while also giving their captain a reliable third or fourth seam-bowling option, making him a crucial puzzle piece for their complete squad overhaul.
4. Mumbai Indians (MI)
Despite trading him away in previous years, Mumbai Indians might look to re-acquire Green. Their 2025 season exposed their lack of depth in both batting and bowling, particularly in death-overs. The team could have identified Green as a player who can fill that exact void. Having excelled with MI in the past, Green is a proven asset who understands the MI environment well. He provides both batting firepower and seam-bowling strength, crucially in the middle and death overs. With MI’s tradition of building a core squad, Green would provide that crucial piece needed to return to their winning ways.
5. Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Rajasthan Royals are shrewd auction players, and Green would fit perfectly into their strategic puzzle. Known for their smart buys, RR needs a player who can provide power hitting and add depth to their seam-bowling, especially on their home ground, where conditions often demand a multi-dimensional player. If RR executes a major shakeup, they could free up significant funds to secure Green. With the release of a few high-value players, they could have one of the largest purses at the auction. Green’s versatility in both batting and bowling would be crucial in completing their team and enhancing their chances of moving from playoff contenders to championship favorites.
