The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a tournament where fortunes can change in the blink of an eye, and few stories exemplify this more than that of Australian all-rounder Cameron Green. Once a marquee player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and previously Mumbai Indians (MI), Green found himself on the sidelines for the entire IPL 2025 season. His absence was a significant blow to his franchise and a major talking point among fans and pundits. However, what seemed like a setback has only amplified his value, with reports and expert predictions now positioning him as one of the most sought-after players for the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
Green's journey to the sidelines was a difficult but necessary one. The all-rounder was ruled out of the IPL 2025 season after a persistent lower-back injury, a stress fracture, required surgical intervention. This was not his first encounter with such an injury; Green had battled similar issues as a teenager, but this particular instance had a "unique defect," according to Cricket Australia, that needed to be addressed to secure his long-term career as a seam-bowling all-rounder. The surgery, performed by specialists in New Zealand, involved binding vertebrae together with screws and titanium wire—a procedure successfully used on other elite pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and James Pattinson.
The recovery timeline was estimated at a minimum of six months, effectively sidelining him from a packed international calendar that included the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series against India and Australia's tour of Sri Lanka, in addition to the IPL. While RCB, his franchise at the time, was reportedly keen on retaining him, his unavailability for the entire season made it a non-starter. This decision was a purely strategic one, as no franchise would be willing to retain an expensive player knowing he would not be available. Thus, Green was released, leaving a massive void in RCB's squad and placing him squarely back in the player pool.
The narrative of his injury and subsequent absence is now being replaced by a triumphant comeback story. Following his successful recovery, Cameron Green has not only returned to the field but has done so with a bang. His recent performances, particularly in T20 cricket, have been nothing short of spectacular. Green has been showing brilliant form with the bat, scoring consistently and at a high strike rate. His powerful hitting and ability to accelerate the scoring rate in the middle and death overs make him a game-changer. As a bowler, he has regained his rhythm and is once again a reliable option, providing crucial breakthroughs and economy in tight situations.
This resurgence has made him an irresistible prospect for franchises heading into the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The distinction between a mini-auction and a mega-auction is crucial here. In a mega-auction, teams must rebuild their squads almost entirely, but a mini-auction allows franchises to release a few players and fill specific gaps in their roster with a smaller player pool and purse. With many teams having a settled core, they will be looking for high-impact players who can fill a specific role, and Cameron Green perfectly fits the bill.
His multi-faceted skill set as a top-order batsman, a power-hitter in the middle, and a genuine fast-bowling option makes him a rare commodity in the T20 format. He is a genuine all-rounder who can bat anywhere in the top seven and provide four overs of quality pace bowling. The fact that he is still in his mid-20s adds to his appeal, as franchises see him as a long-term investment. Teams like Chennai Super Kings (CSK), known for their strategic auction buys, or even his former team RCB, might see him as the missing piece of the puzzle. RCB, in particular, could be looking to bring him back to strengthen their squad after a season without him.
The competition for Green will be fierce, and he is expected to fetch a premium price. Reports suggest he could be a primary target for multiple franchises, sparking a bidding war. His current form and the desperate need for a quality fast-bowling all-rounder in many squads mean his price tag could easily soar into the upper echelons of the auction list. The IPL 2026 mini-auction is set to be a spectacle, and Cameron Green's name is likely to be at the center of it, as teams vie to secure the services of a player who is not just returning from injury but is doing so in the form of his life. His comeback story is a testament to his resilience and talent, and the IPL is ready to welcome back one of its brightest stars.
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