"Even if CSK pick him, they'll have him as a backup bowler only" - R Ashwin's huge claim on uncapped pacer ahead of IPL 2026 Auction

Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin believes pacers will be in high demand in the upcoming IPL 2026 auction. The legendary spinner specifically mentioned the Jammu & Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi as a high-demand commodity in the auction.

The 29-year-old has been in red-hot form in the ongoing 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), picking up 11 wickets in five games at an average of 13.54. Nabi has also enjoyed an incredible Ranji Trophy campaign, picking up 29 scalps at an average of 13.27 in five outings.

Talking about Nabi's prospects with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said (3:29):

"In this particular auction, fast bowlers will be in high demand. I'll reiterate Umesh Yadav might also get a few bids with good bidding. Because there is a lot of demand with very little supply. And franchises have a lot of money. So someone like Aquib Nabi will have demand but whether he'll get picked and play, I do not know. Even if CSK pick him, they'll have him as a backup bowler only."

Ashwin also backed CSK to go all-out on Venkatesh Iyer and Liam Livingstone, saying:

"CSK's first priority will be Venkatesh Iyer. They would have thought of Maxwell in the other slot. Now that he's out, it'll be Livingstone."

Both Iyer and Livingstone endured disappointing IPL 2025 seasons and were released by their respective franchises, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

"Releasing Pathirana was a very calculative call by CSK" - R Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin believes CSK released Matheesha Pathirana with the sole intention of landing all-rounders, Andre Russell and Cameron Green. The Sri Lankan youngster has been CSK's go-to bowling option over the last three seasons.

However, by releasing him and ₹13 crore, CSK have freed themselves a purse of ₹43.40 crore for the 2026 auction.

"Releasing Pathirana was a very calculative call by CSK. Most teams felt Andre Russell would be in the auction even before release. With that in mind, CSK wanted to pick Russell or Cameron Green. But they had no chance with 30 crores, and hence, Matheesha Pathirana looked like a very obvious release," said Ashwin (via the aforementioned source).

While Green remains the most-sought player in the upcoming auction, Russell surprisingly announced his IPL retirement a fortnight before the auction. Meanwhile, CSK are coming off their worst-ever IPL season this year, finishing at the bottom of the table for the first time in their rich history.