Overview:
Ashwin's second choice was defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who also retained their core group.
Former all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has named his top four franchises for the IPL 2026. However, there was no place for the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings. He gave his verdict after the IPL 2026 auction at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Mumbai Indians (MI) were his first choice. The five-time champions retained all the main players and traded Shardul Thakur (from LSG), Sherfane Rutherford (from GT) and Mayank Markande (from KKR).
During the auction, MI bought Quinton de Kock (Rs 1 crore), Mohammed Izhar (Rs 30 lakh), Atharva Ankolekar (Rs 30 lakh), Danish Malewar (Rs 30 lakh) and Mayank Rawat (Rs 30 lakh).
Ashwin’s second choice was defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who also retained their core group. RCB, who won their maiden IPL trophy in 2025, added eight players to the team, including the likes of Venkatesh Iyer (Rs 4 crore) and Jacob Duffy (Rs 2 crore).
Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) were the remaining two franchises.
Ashwin hailed the Mumbai Indians’ signing of De Kock. He believes Mumbai are trying to form their IPL 2020 title-winning combinations. He added that despite a purse of Rs 2.75 crore, MI strengthened their squad.
“Quinton de Kock was a good buy. I think the other franchises were sleeping, and Mumbai took advantage. MI are not sure about opening with Rickelton. They are trying to replicate their 2020 success, and only Ishan Kishan is missing,” R Ashwin said.
“Mumbai had 2.75 crore, but it was as if they had INR 27 crore because they signed many players. MI already had a winning squad, but they are looking even stronger after the auction,” he concluded.