The countdown to the IPL 2026 auction has officially begun. Franchises were required to submit their final retained and released players list by 3 PM IST on November 15, 2025, setting the stage for a busy trade window and the much-awaited mini auction.
The IPL 2026 auction will take place on December 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, marking the league’s third consecutive overseas auction after Dubai (2024) and Jeddah (2024).
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What’s New This Season?
📅 Auction Date & Venue
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December 16, 2025
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Abu Dhabi
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One-day mini auction, similar to previous non-mega cycles.
⏰ Retention Deadline
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November 15, 2025, at 3 PM IST
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Teams submitted their complete retention and release lists by this time.
🔄 Trading Window
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Open since the end of IPL 2025.
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Will remain active until one week before the auction.
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Resumes after the auction and stays open until one month before IPL 2026 begins.
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Players bought at the 2026 auction cannot be traded in this window.
This cycle’s biggest talking point has been the high-profile trades, including Sanju Samson to CSK, and Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran moving to RR, along with several cash deals between franchises.
IPL 2026: Timeline Overview
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Mini Auction: One day
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Retention Deadline: Nov 15
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Auction Date: Dec 16, Abu Dhabi
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Tentative IPL 2026 Window: March 15 – May 31
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Final Auction Pool: Created after pruning the registered list submitted by players
Major Confirmed Trades Before Retentions
Several significant moves reshaped squads before deadline day:
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Sanju Samson → CSK
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Ravindra Jadeja & Sam Curran → RR
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Shardul Thakur → MI (from LSG; cash deal)
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Sherfane Rutherford → MI (from GT; cash deal)
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Arjun Tendulkar → LSG (at base price)
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Nitish Rana → DC (from RR)
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Donovan Ferreira → RR
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Mayank Markande → MI
A total of eight trades were officially completed by the deadline.
Team-by-Team Look: Retained & Released Players (As Per Major Sports Outlets)
Note: Lists are based on widely reported updates from national sports media and team communication during the retention window.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Key Highlights
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The biggest headline: Sanju Samson joins CSK.
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Reports suggest Matheesha Pathirana has been released.
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CSK continues its rebuild post-2025 under Ruturaj Gaikwad’s leadership.
Likely Core Retained
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Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)
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MS Dhoni
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Shivam Dube
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Sanju Samson (trade)
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Key Highlights
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Very active in the trade market.
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Added Shardul Thakur and Sherfane Rutherford.
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Arjun Tendulkar moved to LSG.
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MI appears focused on strengthening all-round options and pace depth.
Strategy
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Retain core players
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Maintain purse flexibility
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Fill specific overseas roles at the mini auction
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Key Highlights
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Massive swap: Jadeja + Curran arrive, Samson leaves.
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Donovan Ferreira returns.
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RR retained around 13 players, including Jasaiswal and Jofra Archer.
Focus
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Strengthened all-round core
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Auction plans likely targeting pace depth and finishing options
Delhi Capitals (DC)
Key Highlights
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KL Rahul retained, ending speculation about a KKR move.
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T Natarajan also retained.
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Nitish Rana joins the middle order.
Strategy
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Stability over overhaul
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Avoid releasing players likely to attract heavy bidding
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Key Highlights
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Reports indicate Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer have been released.
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KKR planning a major reset to build around new domestic talent.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Key Highlights
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Heinrich Klaasen retained.
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Several overseas players likely released for slot flexibility.
Auction Approach
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Strengthen top-order
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Boost pace department
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Key Highlights
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Shardul Thakur departs, Arjun Tendulkar joins.
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Mohammed Shami brought in via trade.
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Expected to retain emerging star Mayank Yadav.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
Key Highlights
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Sherfane Rutherford moved to MI.
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More changes expected in batting depth during the auction.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Key Highlights
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Overseas core largely retained.
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Reports indicate Glenn Maxwell released to free purse.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Key Highlights
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Retained core closely tracked across national outlets.
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Auction focus: bowling depth and powerplay options.
Confirmed Big Moves & Major Releases
Trades Confirmed
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Samson → CSK
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Jadeja & Curran → RR
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Thakur → MI
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Rutherford → MI
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Arjun → LSG
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Nitish Rana → DC
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Mayank Markande → MI
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Donovan Ferreira → RR
Reported Major Releases
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Andre Russell (KKR)
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Matheesha Pathirana (CSK)
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Various capped Indian and overseas players across franchises
IPL 2026 Auction: What You Need to Know
📅 Date
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December 16, 2025
📍 Venue
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Abu Dhabi
📝 Format
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One-day mini auction
💰 Purse Dynamics
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Teams releasing big contracts (like KKR) now hold higher purse space.
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Expect aggressive bidding on:
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Indian fast bowlers
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All-rounders
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Death bowlers
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Middle-order power hitters
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Where to Watch IPL 2026 Retention & Auction Coverage
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All major Indian sports outlets will run live blogs.
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Detailed pick-by-pick auction coverage on leading cricket platforms.
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Official IPL digital channels also updating trade and retention data.
Team Strategies Going Into IPL 2026
CSK
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Middle order reshaped with Samson.
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Likely to target finishers and pace variety.
RR
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Jadeja + Curran = strong all-round core.
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Auction focus on specialist pace.
MI
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Added depth with all-rounders and fast bowlers.
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Auction to plug specific gaps.
DC
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Stability in batting.
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Will target lower middle-order power & bowling.
KKR
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Big names released.
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Pursuing a fresh team identity.
SRH
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Solid core retained.
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Need to rebuild pace attack.
Most Searched Details (Quick Recap)
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IPL 2026 Auction Date: 16 December 2025
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Retention Deadline: 15 November 2025, 3 PM IST
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Mini Auction: Single day
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Key Trades: Samson → CSK, Jadeja & Curran → RR, Thakur & Rutherford → MI
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Season Window: Mid-March to May 2026
Conclusion
The IPL 2026 retention phase has brought some of the most dramatic moves in recent years. The headline-grabbing Samson–Jadeja–Curran trade has already reshaped team strategies, while multiple franchises used the trade window to strengthen their core ahead of the auction in Abu Dhabi.
With retention lists final, teams now shift their attention to the auction battle, where purse management, domestic pace talent, and specialist all-round roles will determine who builds the strongest squad for the 2026 season.
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