IPL 2024

Ravichandran Ashwin faces accusations of revealing CSK’s IPL 2026 auction plans; breaks his silence

By Samira Vishwas

The IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi has been rocked by a bizarre controversy involving former India legend Ravichandran Ashwin and his long-time franchise, Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Following his retirement from the IPL in August 2025, Ashwin has transitioned into a popular digital analyst, but his recent ‘perfect’ predictions have landed him in hot water with a section of the CSK faithful.

The off-spinner correctly forecasted that the Super Kings would break the bank for uncapped Indian domestic stars Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer, a prediction that came true just minutes later when CSK secured both for a staggering 14.2 crore each. This uncanny accuracy led to viral accusations that Ashwin had “leaked” the franchise’s confidential scouting targets, potentially allowing rival teams to drive up the prices. Amidst a flurry of memes and angry tweets, Ashwin finally broke his silence on December 18, 2025, using his trademark wit to dismiss the claims and defend his analytical prowess in a high-stakes digital era.

Former off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin denies leaking CSK’s IPL 2026 auction plans

The primary catalyst for the backlash was the record-breaking nature of CSK’s acquisitions. By spending a combined 28.4 crore on two uncapped players, CSK effectively set a new benchmark for domestic valuations, but many fans felt the “heads-up” from Ashwin’s social media gave teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders the leverage to inflate the bids.

Ashwin, however, found the idea that billion-dollar franchises base their strategies on his tweets inherently hilarious. Addressing a fan on X who asked how happy he was after “leaking all the picks,” Ashwin retorted with laughing emojis: “How are you guys able to believe these lies? The ‘Orange Army’ (SRH) had Muralitharan, Vettori, analysts, and scouts sitting at the table and yet showed faith in my tweets? Use some logic!” His response showcased a critical reality of modern IPL auctions, every team now employs rigorous scouting networks that identify the same “hidden gems,” making it inevitable that top-tier domestic performers like Kartik and Prashant would trigger massive bidding wars regardless of social media chatter.

Also READ: Rishabh Pant to captain Delhi as Virat Kohli makes historic Vijay Hazare Trophy return; squad announced for first two games

CSK’s evolution: From Dad’s army to a youth-driven future

Beyond the Ashwin drama, the 2026 auction signaled a historic shift in the Chennai Super Kings’ DNA, moving away from their traditional reliance on veteran experience toward a high-risk, high-reward youth policy. Head coach Stephen Fleming clarified that the scouting for Kartik, a 19-year-old Rajasthan keeper-batter, and Prashant, a versatile Uttar Pradesh all-rounder, had been ongoing for over a year.

Fleming stated, “We’ve been watching Kartik for some time; he was with us last year as a net bowler. These weren’t ‘leaks’ or impulsive buys; they were targeted replacements for the core we lost after the Ravindra Jadeja trade.” While Ashwin’s retirement has left a void in the locker room, his role as a public “explorer of the game” continues to bridge the gap between fans and the technical side of the sport. Despite missing out on targets like Cameron Greenwho went to KKR for a record 25.2 crore, CSK management remains confident that their 28 crore investment in youth will provide the long-term stability needed to reclaim the trophy in the post-Dhoni era.

Also READ: Mumbai announces squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy; Rohit Sharma makes historic return

Samira Vishwas 645 posts 0 comments
You might also like More from author

Comments are closed.