Chennai: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on J&K and domestic star Auqib Nabi’s chances at the IPL 2026 auction, suggesting that the in-demand pacer may still end up as a backup option even if picked by a franchise, including Chennai Super Kings.
The IPL 2026 mega auction is scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, and Nabi is expected to attract interest after his impressive domestic performances.
Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, noted that franchises will prioritise fast bowlers this year due to high demand and limited availability.
“Fast bowlers will be in high demand this auction. Umesh Yadav might also receive a few bids because teams have money but very limited pace options. Auqib Nabi will definitely attract attention, but whether he plays immediately is uncertain. Even if CSK pick him, he’ll likely be a backup bowler,” Ashwin explained.
He further suggested that Chennai Super Kings could aggressively pursue all-rounders like Venkatesh Iyer and Liam Livingstone, especially after Glenn Maxwell pulled out.
“CSK’s first target will be Venkatesh Iyer. They probably had Maxwell in mind earlier. Now that he’s unavailable, Livingstone becomes a top choice,” he added.
Ashwin Explains CSK’s Decision to Release Pathirana
Ashwin also commented on CSK’s surprising move to release Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, one of the most exciting young bowlers in the league.
“Releasing Pathirana was a calculated decision. Many teams expected Andre Russell to be in the auction, and CSK aimed to target either Russell or Cameron Green. With only ₹30 crore available at the time, retaining Pathirana didn’t fit their plans,” he said.
CSK’s Released Players and Auction Purse
CSK, who finished last for the first time in IPL 2025, have made major squad changes ahead of the auction. With a hefty purse of ₹43.40 crore, they released:
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Rahul Tripathi
- Vansh Bedi
- C Andre Siddarth
- Rachin Ravindra
- Devon Conway
- Deepak Hooda
- Vijay Shankar
- Shaik Rasheed
- Kamlesh Nagarkoti
In a high-profile trade, Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran were swapped with Sanju Samson, joining Rajasthan Royals.
With significant purse space and multiple slots to fill, CSK’s auction strategy will be closely watched. Their potential pursuit of pace options, power-hitting all-rounders, and new leadership pathways makes them one of the most intriguing teams heading into the IPL 2026 auction.
