IPL auction: WA’s Cameron Green could set Indian Premier League record, says Indian great Ravichandran Ashwin

An Indian great predicts towering WA and Perth Scorchers allrounder Cameron Green could set an IPL auction record after putting his hand up for the lucrative Twenty20 competition for the first time. Indian allrounder Ravichandran Ashwin believes IPL franchises will “break the bank” to secure the services of the three-format Australian star during the December 23 auction. “Some teams might think of using him in the powerplay and might go after him in this year’s auctions unless and until he pulls out,” Ashwin told News Corp. “I am sure some team will break the bank for him in this year’s auction.” The 23-year-old showcased his white-ball potential in India earlier this year during a three-match T20 series in the sub-continent. Green’s IPL stocks would have soared with a stunning series opening the batting. The Subiaco-Floreat product hit the fastest-ever T20 half-century against India, getting there in just 19 balls on his way to 52 off 21 - which included seven fours and three sixes. He finished as the leading run-scorer of the series with 118 and had the best strike rate of any player with a blistering 214, despite being used in an unfamiliar role. A freak golfing injury to WA teammate Josh Inglis saw Green earn a late call-up to Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, but he only featured once in the final game of the tournament against Afghanistan. Green will also feature in Australia’s three-match One-day International series against England, starting in Adelaide on Thursday. It comes as Australian Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins revealed he won’t be back for Kolkata Knight Riders in next year’s competition, citing a busy international schedule including an away Ashes campaign in England mid-year. “I really do love playing in the IPL but just looking at the schedule the decision was pretty easy,” Cummins said. “I was totally depleted after the last Ashes in 2019 so I just want to be going there as fresh as I can be.”