As the IPL 2026 trade window heats up, anticipation builds around potential team transformations, particularly for franchises that underperformed in the 2025 season. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), both concluding the previous season in the bottom half of the standings, are expected to aggressively seek improvements to their squads. Legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, currently with CSK, has shared his insights on how the upcoming mini-auction might unfold. Speaking on his Hindi YouTube channel, Ashwin predicted that overseas players will be the primary focus of the bidding wars.
Ashwin believes that acquiring high-quality Indian players will be challenging in a mini-auction scenario, potentially leading to significant investments in international talent. He highlighted foreign all-rounders as particularly valuable, mentioning Mitchell Owen and Cameron Green as potential targets who could command substantial prices. He anticipates that the mini-auction will be a high-stakes financial game, with teams potentially spending between Rs 25-30 crore.
On the domestic front, Ashwin identified Mayank Yadav of Lucknow Super Giants as a possible prominent Indian player available due to injury concerns, even though he was retained for a considerable sum. The trade window has already seen speculation around Sanju Samson and KL Rahul, with reports indicating Samson may seek a trade due to differences with the management. Ashwin himself, acquired by CSK for Rs 9.75 crore last season, experienced a comparatively modest performance, fueling rumors of his potential move as well. The mini-auction, likely slated for late 2025, promises intense negotiations and potential blockbuster trades, particularly for teams like CSK and KKR seeking to make a strong comeback in 2026.