IPL 2026 auction likely to take place around December 15, deadline for retention of players to be November 15

The IPL 2026 auction is likely to take place in the second or third week of December, with 13-15 as a possible window. According to Cricbuzz, the discussions are taking place around those dates, but the IPL governing council hasn’t finalised anything. There is a possibility that the BCCI will keep the mini-auction in India, and there are no plans to take it overseas. Dubai (2023) and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (2024) hosted the high-profile event.

The retention deadline will be November 15, and the franchises will have to give the names they are willing to release. There are no indications that teams will allow a lot of players to leave, except for the Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, who were the last two franchises in the points table.

The five-time champions are likely to release Sam Curran, Devon Conway, Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, and Rahul Tripathi. With R Ashwin announcing retirement from the Indian Premier League, INR 9.75 crore has been added to CSK’s purse.

Sanju Samson has already decided to leave RR, with Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana also heading out.

Mitchell Starc, Tim David, Akash Deep, Mayak Yadav, and T Natarajan may have to find new franchises, but there is no official confirmation. Venkaltesh Iyter, who was bought for INR 23.75 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders, has no chance of getting retained after his flop show in IPL 2025.

Cameroon Green, the Australian all-rounder, is expected to break several bidding records. He was injured during the previous auction.