Sun Dec 14 06:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text followed by a news article based on it:

Summary:

The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) mini-auction is scheduled for December 16th in Abu Dhabi. Approximately 350 players have been shortlisted. Ahead of the auction, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin conducted a mock auction on his YouTube channel. Notably, several prominent international players, including Steve Smith, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Ben Duckett, and others, went unsold in Ashwin’s mock auction. Cameron Green and Venkatesh Iyer were among the highest valued players in the mock auction.

News Article:

IPL 2026 Auction Buzz Builds: Ashwin’s Mock Auction Predicts Potential Stars and Surprises

Abu Dhabi: The stage is set for the IPL 2026 mini-auction, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16th. Teams will be vying for the services of approximately 350 shortlisted players. As anticipation builds, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has added fuel to the fire by conducting a mock auction on his YouTube channel, offering a glimpse into potential strategies and valuations.

The mock auction produced some surprising results. Several high-profile international players, including Steve Smith, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Ben Duckett, Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell went unsold in Ashwin’s simulation. This raises questions about their potential market value when the real auction rolls around.

On the other hand, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green emerged as the top pick in the mock auction, fetching a staggering INR 21 crore. Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer also commanded a high price, going for INR 17.5 crore. Other notable sales included Liam Livingstone (INR 18.5 crore), Ravi Bishnoi (INR 10.5 crore), and Jason Holder (INR 9 crore).

While mock auctions are not always indicative of actual auction outcomes, they provide valuable insights into perceived player values and potential team strategies. All eyes will be on Abu Dhabi in December to see how these predictions play out in the real world.

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