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The curious case of Australian all-rounder Cameron Green being listed as a ‘batter’ in the IPL 2026 auction list became a major talking point ahead of the event. While many in the cricket world speculated that this was a deliberate tactical maneuver to secure an early slot in the auction or a precautionary measure related to his bowling fitness, Green himself moved quickly to dismiss these theories.
Why Cameron Green was listed as a batter in IPL 2026 Auction? The Australia all-rounder-reveals
The official auction list classified Cameron Green as a ‘batter’ only, which was immediately flagged as an oddity for a player known for his high-impact pace bowling and power hitting. This categorization spurred speculation that Green or his management intentionally chose the ‘batter’ set to appear earlier in the auction when franchise purses are at their deepest. Green, however, explicitly stated that the classification was not by design, but a human error during the registration process, placing the responsibility on his manager. Crucially, Green also provided a clear fitness update, assuring potential buyers that he is fully cleared to bowl, dispelling any concerns that the categorization was a fitness hedge. Green’s words explicitly clarified the nature of the error:
“I’ll be good to bowl… I don’t know if my manager would like to hear this, but there was a stuff-up on his end. He didn’t mean to say ‘batter’. I think he accidentally selected the wrong box. It was pretty funny how it’s all played out, but it was actually a stuff-up on his end.” Green was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
This explanation is significant because the accidental categorization places the high-value Australian in the first set of players to go under the hammer. Despite this listing error, franchises, particularly the financially robust Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), are reportedly still viewing him as the full, top-tier pace-bowling all-rounder, whose rare utility is projected to see his final bid soar past his ₹2 crore base price.
Strategic advantage: IPL 2026 Auction slot and all-rounder valuation
Although the categorization was an error, Green’s placement in the early ‘batter’ set provides an unintentional, yet significant, strategic benefit in the mini-auction environment. Auctions typically see the most aggressive bidding in the first few sets, as franchises still possess their full purse (KKR holds the highest at ₹64.3 crore, and CSK has ₹43.4 crore). The early appearance forces teams to commit big money quickly, a dynamic that almost guarantees Green will fetch a premium price. The all-rounder’s value, which lies in his combination of power, versatility, and crucial overs, makes him a foundational piece for any squad.
Green also touched on his current physical readiness in the context of his ongoing international commitments:
“Any overs you can bank up your sleeve in the early games will be beneficial later because I’ll obviously be required later in the series when everyone’s a bit more tired. Happy to keep the overs at what they are, but I’m certain they’re going to get increased the next few games.” Green concluded.
This confirmed bowling fitness assures franchises they are bidding for the complete all-rounder package, despite the label on the auction sheet. Having previously secured bids of ₹17.5 crore in past seasons, the market understands that Green is a franchise-shaping talent. Therefore, for the auction room, the message is clear: ignore the printed label, and focus on the match-winning profile. The accidental ‘batter’ tag only ensures that the bidding for the Australian star will ignite the event from the very first hour.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: crickettimes.com
