star australian allrounder cameron green He has become the biggest headline of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, not just for his skill but for a strategic decision that has grabbed a lot of attention. The Australian, who is a genuine fast-bowling all-rounder, has surprisingly registered himself as a batsman rather than an all-rounder. Notably, the logic behind it is calculated taking into account the dynamics of a mini-auction.
Why did Cameron Green list himself as a batsman in the IPL 2026 mini-auction?
In the mini-auction, the list of batsmen is presented first, followed by the list of all-rounders and bowlers. Green knows that if he had placed himself in the all-rounder category, there was a strong possibility that his name would have come up much later, at a time when many teams would have already spent heavily on other players. By selecting the 'batsman' category, he ensures that his name comes up early when the franchise purse is full. Green is positioning himself for maximum visibility and maximum bidding for himself.
The second major reason for Green's decision is BCCI's rule.
Another factor in the decision is considering BCCI's new maximum fee rule for foreign players. Under this rule, no foreign cricketer can be paid more than Rs 18 crore in the mini-auction, even if the final bid is above that number. Any amount above Rs 18 crore goes into BCCI's central pool instead of the player's pocket.
Green has already been bought for Rs 17.5 crore in 2023, fully aware that given the low all-rounder market and the huge purses of teams like KKR (Rs 64.3 crore) and CSK (Rs 43.4 crore), he will touch the Rs 18 crore mark again. So, by getting his name called early, Green gives himself the best chance of reaching that limit—maximizing the amount he can actually take home before the rules come into effect.
Franchises are seeing Green as a huge value. KKR lack a replacement for an all-rounder like Andre Russell and have enough money to fill it, making them strong contenders in the early rounds. CSK, who are improving after a poor season, prefer multi-skilled players who can adapt to the conditions at Chepauk. Interest is high from all teams that Green is aware of. By registering as a batsman, he positions himself where a bidding war begins.
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