Aakash Chopra says Jamie Smith should not have been allowed in IPL 2026 auction, backs England star to fetch big cheque

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra said Jamie Smith should not have been allowed to register in IPL 2026 mini auction as he didn’t register in IPL 2025 mega auction. However, Smith has been given an exception as this is the first time he has put his name in the auction pool.

Chopra expects Smith to go for a massive amount as he can keep wickets and can also bat in the top order. Smith has impressed while playing for England and he will definitely add strength to any IPL team.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “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.”

“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.

On the other hand, the renowned commentator expects Cameron Green to break Rishabh Pant’s record of being the most expensive player in IPL auction history.

“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.

Green did not play in IPL 2025 because of an injury. He has scored 521 runs in 21 T20Is at an average of 32.56 and a strike rate of 162.31. The Australian all-rounder has scored 707 runs in 29 IPL matches at an average of 41.59 and a strike rate of 153.70.

The IPL 2026 auction is all set to take center stage on December 16, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.