“I want to praise and applaud RCB” - Ravi Ashwin lauds defending champions for their smart picks in IPL 2026 mini-auction

Former Indian spinner and analyst Ravi Ashwin has heaped praise on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for their smart moves at the recently concluded IPL 2026 mini-auction, which was held on Tuesday, December 16, in Abu Dhabi.

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Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Ashwin hailed RCB’s scouting team for helping the team acquire the services of Vihaan Malhotra and Kanishk Chouhan for INR 30 Lakh each. Notably, the duo is currently part of the Indian U19 team taking part in the ongoing ACC Men’s Asia Cup.

"I want to praise and applaud RCB. They have snapped both Vihaan Malhotra and Kanishk Chouhan at 30 Lakhs. This is scouting of a really good order. If you do such scouting, then there will not be too much competition. Kanishk Chouhan will go on to do special things," Ravi Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Furthermore, Ashwin termed RCB ‘lucky’ for roping in the former KKR all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for INR 7 crore, despite good interest shown by the Kolkata-based franchise at the mini-auction.

"How are RCB so lucky at the auction? Last time they went all out for Venkatesh Iyer, if KKR had pulled out back then, RCB's auction would have been over there itself. This time, even when KKR had the money, RCB were able to secure him for 7 crore. RCB have once again had a fabulous auction," he added.

At the IPL 2026 mini-auction, RCB acquired the services of Vihaan Malhotra, Vicky Ostwal, Kanishk Chouhan, Mangesh Yadav, Satvik Deswal, Jordan Cox, Jacob Duffy and Venkatesh Iyer.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad for IPL 2026

Abhinandan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Devdutt Padikkal, Jacob Bethell*, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood*, Krunal Pandya, Nuwan Thushara*, Phil Salt*, Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Dar, Romario Shepherd*, Suyash Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Tim David*, Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal, Venkatesh Iyer*, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox*, Kanishk Chouhan, Vihaan Malhotra, Vicky Ostwal, Satvik Deswal.

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*denotes overseas player.

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