Big Trades and Surprising Releases Mark IPL 2026 Retention Day

MUMBAI, India — In a dramatic turn of events ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, teams have finalized their player retention and release lists, with notable trades capturing attention. Sanju Samson has moved from Rajasthan Royals to Chennai Super Kings in a landmark deal worth INR 18 crore, while Ravindra Jadeja transitioned from CSK to RR for INR 14 crore.

This player swap is part of a broader trend as franchises prepare for next season. CSK’s release of Matheesha Pathirana, Devon Conway, and Rachin Ravindra surprised many. Similarly, Kolkata Knight Riders announced the release of Andre Russell, Quinton de Kock, and Venkatesh Iyer, marking significant changes in their roster.

Mohammed Shami‘s trade from Sunrisers Hyderabad to Lucknow Super Giants for INR 10 crore highlights the competitive nature of these movements. Lucknow’s head coach, Justin Langer, expressed his excitement about Shami’s aggressive playstyle, calling him a “real warrior” on the field.

As teams finalize their rosters, the financial aspects have drawn attention too. CSK holds the largest purse of INR 43.40 crore, in contrast to Mumbai Indians’ substantially lower INR 2.75 crore heading into the auction next month. The IPL 2026 auction is set to take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi.

Kolkata Knight Riders retained a core group of players, including Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine, while also structuring a blend of experience and youth. KKR coach Mahela Jayawardene noted the importance of maintaining a competitive edge in the upcoming season.

In addition to trades, several teams made bold moves releasing key players. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru released Liam Livingstone and Tim Seifert, while Punjab Kings let go of Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis. 

IPL franchises are now strategizing as they eye the auction to round out their squads for the new season, but the immediate focus will be on the impact of these high-profile trades and releases.