Green's all-round skills make him a top auction target

A total of 359 players were shortlisted on Tuesday for the 2026 IPL player auction on December 16.

- Rasesh Mandani

Australia’s Cameron Green is widely believed to be a front-runner to bag the most expensive tag.The tall allrounder bats in the top order, can hit a long ball, bowls seam up as a middle overs enforcer, also with the new ball when needed. He may not be an accomplished T20 force, but Green's credentials are extremely inviting based on the player pool which will have 99 overseas players in the running with 31 vacant overseas slots to be filled.

That said, player auctions can spring surprises with many other factors at play. Many teams need wrist spinners and Ravi Bishnoi is among the best known released for bidding. Top-order batters will also invite interest and for this category, Quinton de Kock with his dual skill sets will be trying his luck. Fast bowlers will again be in demand and the CSK-re-leased Matheesa Pathirana could find many takers.