The IPL 2026 trade window is heating up, and after a turbulent 2025 season, some of the league’s biggest franchises are bracing for major changes. Powerhouses like Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ended last season in the bottom half – CSK finishing tenth and KKR eighth and are now expected to be aggressive in reshaping their squads.
Adding fuel to the pre-auction chatter, legendary spinner and CSK star Ravichandran Ashwin has shared his take on how this year’s mini-auction could unfold. Speaking on his Hindi YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin predicted that overseas players will be the hottest commodities this time around.
“In a mini-auction like this, getting quality Indian players will be tough. Maybe only a few new names will appear. The expensive picks will be overseas players,” Ashwin said.
According to him, franchises rarely release marquee Indian players, making proven foreign all-rounders even more valuable. Ashwin highlighted two Australian cricketers who could spark bidding wars – Mitchell Owen, who had a short but impactful stint with Punjab Kings, and Cameron Green, who could bring both power-hitting and handy seam bowling to the table.
“They’ll go for big prices because they are foreign all-rounders. The mini-auction will be a Rs 25-30 crore game for all teams,” Ashwin predicted.
On the Indian front, Ashwin believes Mayank Yadav of Lucknow Super Giants could be one of the few big domestic names in play. Despite being retained for Rs 11 crore, the young pacer’s persistent injuries may tempt LSG to make a move.
The trade window has already seen high-profile speculation around names like Sanju Samson and KL Rahul. Samson, currently with Rajasthan Royals, has reportedly asked to be traded or released into the auction due to differences with the management. KKR and CSK are said to be among the interested suitors.
Interestingly, Ashwin himself is no stranger to the trade talks. Bought by CSK for Rs 9.75 crore last season, the veteran had a modest campaign with just seven wickets in nine matches – prompting whispers that he could also be on the move.
With the mini-auction likely scheduled for November or December 2025, expect the coming weeks to be packed with negotiations, rumours, and perhaps a few blockbuster trades. For struggling teams like CSK and KKR, this window could be the perfect chance to stage a dramatic comeback in 2026.
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