Mumbai: In the ‘TATA IPL 2026 Auction War Room’ on JioHotstar, cricket experts took part in a mock auction simulation, analysing team strategies ahead of the TATA IPL 2026 mini-auction, scheduled to be held shortly. The simulation witnessed aggressive bidding, with Australian all-rounder Cameron Green emerging as the highest-priced player, sold to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for ₹30.5 crore.
The auction war room provided insights into how franchises may approach squad-building, balancing star power, form, and long-term team requirements. While KKR went big for Green, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were seen focusing on form-driven selections, squad balance, and depth for the future.
Expert Views on Cameron Green and KKR Strategy
Speaking on the show, JioStar expert Robin Uthappa shared his perspective on KKR’s aggressive bid for Cameron Green and CSK’s likely approach in a real auction scenario.
“I knew CSK would also go after a middle-order all-rounder. I thought they would go somewhere around ₹25–28 crore. Realistically, I think they would go up to around ₹20 crore in the actual auction, because they would want to keep space for other Indian and overseas players,” Uthappa said.
He added that in the mock auction setting, he was willing to stretch the budget further. “In the mock auctions, I was ready to go up to ₹35 crore for a player like Green. I think Cameron Green should bat at No. 3 in the order,” he noted.
Matheesha Pathirana to KKR for ₹13 Crore
Uthappa also spoke about Matheesha Pathirana, who was picked up by KKR for ₹13 crore, highlighting the franchise’s clear planning around death bowling.
“It’s all about planning and keeping things simple. We needed a good death bowler. With the kind of coaching staff KKR have, Pathirana can be very effective at the death,” he said.
He pointed out that Pathirana’s recent dip in form and return to the auction pool could work in KKR’s favour. “That could make him more motivated to perform. A change of franchise can also help,” Uthappa added, while also praising the bowling depth with Varun Chakravarthy and Vaibhav Arora in the mix.
Sarfaraz Khan Joins CSK for ₹7 Crore
Former India batter Suresh Raina, another JioStar expert, spoke about Sarfaraz Khan, who was picked by CSK for ₹7 crore in the simulation.
“Sarfaraz is in great form. You don’t get that kind of player easily—the range of shots he plays and the confidence he has,” Raina said. He added that even if Sarfaraz plays a limited number of matches but helps CSK win a couple of games, the investment would be justified.
Raina also highlighted Sarfaraz’s strong first-class performances and his inclusion in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, calling him a “form player who follows a process”.
CSK’s Overall Auction Strategy
Discussing CSK’s broader approach, Raina said the franchise focused on addressing key gaps. “We picked Rahul Chahar as a leg-spinner and Wanindu Hasaranga because we don’t have Jadeja and Ashwin. We also strengthened our pace attack with Anrich Nortje, who has raw pace and bowls yorkers consistently,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of youth, mentioning players such as Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube, adding that fearless young players are crucial for success in a long tournament.
Raina also hinted that CSK may look to re-sign Matheesha Pathirana in the main auction, given their ongoing concerns around death bowling.
The TATA IPL 2026 Auction War Room offered fans a compelling preview of how franchises may think, plan and spend, setting the stage for what promises to be a highly competitive IPL auction season.
