Cameron Green Breaks Silence On Stunning IPL 2026 Auction Decision: "Stuff-Up"

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green has addressed the confusion surrounding his registration as a specialist batter for the upcoming IPL 2026 mini-auction, labeling the situation a "stuff-up". Green, a sought-after player known for his pace bowling and aggressive batting, clarified that the unusual classification was due to an inadvertent error made during the registration process.

Speaking to reporters in Adelaide, Green explained that his manager mistakenly ticked the wrong box on the auction paperwork. "I'll be good to bowl," Green stated, reassuring franchises of his fitness and all-round capabilities. "I don't know if my manager would like to hear this, but there was a stuff-up on his end. He didn't mean to select 'batter' and accidentally ticked the wrong box," he added. Green also said, “It's been pretty funny how it's all played out, but it was genuinely just a mistake".

The decision to list Green as a specialist batter initially raised eyebrows, given his established reputation as a genuine all-rounder. In mini-auctions, the order in which players are presented can significantly impact their chances of attracting high bids. Batters are typically presented first, followed by all-rounders and bowlers. Had Green been listed as an all-rounder, his name might have come up later in the auction, potentially after teams had already spent a significant portion of their budget. By registering as a batter, Green was likely to be presented earlier, increasing his visibility and the potential for a bidding war.

Despite the misclassification, IPL franchises are unlikely to be misled, as they are well aware of Green's all-round capabilities. Green has already proven his value in the IPL, delivering impactful performances with both bat and ball. In IPL 2023, playing for the Mumbai Indians, he scored 452 runs and took six wickets. He continued to contribute across disciplines for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2024.

Green's clarification comes at a crucial time, with the IPL 2026 mini-auction scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. He has set his base price at INR 2 crore, but his market value is expected to soar once the bidding commences.

Several factors point towards a potentially fierce bidding war for Green's services. Firstly, a new BCCI rule stipulates that no overseas player can be paid more than INR 18 crore in the mini-auction, with any amount exceeding that going to the BCCI's central pool. Secondly, several teams, including Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), are looking to bolster their all-rounder options. KKR, with a purse of INR 64.3 crore, are seeking a replacement for Andre Russell, while CSK, with INR 43.4 crore, are searching for an all-rounder to fill the void left by Sam Curran.

Given these factors, Green is expected to be one of the most sought-after players at the auction, and his recent clarification will only reinforce his status as a valuable all-round asset. Despite the "batter" tag, Green has made it clear that he is entering IPL 2026 as a complete package, ready to contribute with both bat and ball.