Former India opener and noted analyst Aakash Chopra has shared a detailed explanation of why Chennai Super Kings (CSK) may choose not to pursue Cameron Green aggressively at the IPL 2026 auction. Despite heading into the auction with a healthy purse of ₹43.4 crore and four overseas slots still available, Chopra believes CSK’s long-standing auction philosophy could keep them out of any bidding war for the Australian all-rounder.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra pointed out that CSK have historically avoided splurging massive sums on individual players, even when marquee names are available. According to him, breaking the ₹25–30 crore barrier for one player has never been part of Chennai’s auction DNA, and that trend is unlikely to change.

“Chennai very rarely buy someone for ₹25–30 crore. It’s not their style. They might bid for Cameron Green for a while, but they won’t mind stepping away. Sometimes you strategically push the price, but if you don’t get the player, it doesn’t bother you. CSK might not show that level of interest in Green,” Aakash Chopra explained.

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While suggesting that Green may not be a priority, Aakash Chopra did highlight an area where CSK could look to invest. He feels the franchise’s middle order lacks experience, especially after a series of releases and trades ahead of the auction. Chopra believes CSK could target a dependable middle-order batter—Indian or overseas—who fits their system and brings stability.

“The top six looks settled on paper, but not all of them are completely sorted. There is slightly less experience there. If you have the option of overseas players, you play them,” he added.

Cameron Green, who has set his base price at ₹2 crore, is expected to attract strong interest when the auction takes place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Several franchises are likely to view him as a long-term investment due to his all-around capabilities.

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CSK have made sweeping changes after a forgettable IPL 2025 campaign, where they finished last for the first time in franchise history. Big names such as Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Ravichandran Ashwin and Matheesha Pathirana were released, while Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran were traded to the  Rajasthan Royals for Sanju Samson. With IPL 2026 in sight, CSK will aim to rebuild smartly and return to their competitive best.