"Logically, he shouldn't have been allowed here" - Aakash Chopra on England star being allowed to register for IPL 2026 auction

Former India player Aakash Chopra has noted that Jamie Smith should logically not have been allowed to register for the IPL 2026 auction, considering he didn't put his name in the IPL 2025 mega auction. However, the analyst pointed out that the England wicketkeeper-batter has been allowed to do so as he is considered a new player.

The IPL 2026 auction is scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi on December 16. While the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have the maximum available purse (₹64.30 crore), the Mumbai Indians (MI) have the least remaining budget (₹2.75 crore).

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener noted that the player availability rule has been relaxed to allow Smith to register for the IPL 2026 auction.

"There is a rule that whoever doesn't register for the mega auction cannot be a part of the mini auction. Jamie Smith hadn't registered there. So, logically, he shouldn't have been allowed here, but an exception has been created for him. He had not registered for any IPL auction before this. So he is considered a new player," he said.

Chopra opined that Smith could be a prized acquisition at the auction.

"So Jamie Smith will be auctioned, and in my opinion, he will earn a lot of money. Wicketkeeping, batting, open or in the middle, he can hit or anchor. He is a versatile cricketer. I feel he will get at least ₹10-12 crore," he reasoned.

Aakash Chopra reckoned that Jamie Smith will likely be a sought-after player due to limited options. He highlighted that KKR and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who have a remaining purse of ₹43.40 crore, are virtually going to a Maruti Suzuki showroom with the money to buy a Ferrari.

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"He might go above Rishabh Pant" - Aakash Chopra on Cameron Green ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Cameron Green has previously played for RCB and MI. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra reckoned that Cameron Green might be bought for an exorbitant sum at the IPL 2026 auction.

"Cameron Green could be the most expensive. Now Andre Russell is also not there, which means you add another ₹5-7 crore to his kitty. He might go above Rishabh Pant. The bid might go above ₹27 crore. He might be bought for ₹28-29 crore eventually," he said.

However, the cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that the Australian all-rounder would not be paid more than ₹18 crore.

"However, he won't get more than ₹18 crore. Your price will depend on two things. One is the highest retention price, not how much someone got. Although Heinrich Klaasen was retained for ₹23 crore, that won't be considered. After that, the highest bid, which was ₹27 crore. The lower of the two will be the price," Chopra observed.

Aakash Chopra noted that the actual bid amount will be deducted from the franchise's purse. He added that the additional money would go to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which will be put in the players' welfare fund.