IPL 2026 Player Retention: Big Names on the Edge as Franchises Reveal Final Lists Today

Kolkata: Saturday evening's IPL retention is being discussed more than the ongoing Test match between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens. That moment is going to come at 5 pm on 15th November, when all 10 teams will say which players they are keeping with them further and whom they are releasing. This evening may bring many surprises and shocks for the fans.

Why is the retention deadline special today?

IPL 2026 is the second season of the same three-year cycle, the first season of which was played this year. The mega auction took place before 2025, so the mini auction will take place in 2026. For this reason, there is no major restriction on the number of retentions on teams. If the franchises want, they can stop more players and can also make big changes if they want.

This time the price of the players released will be directly added to the franchise's purse. If a player is traded, the amount received in exchange for him will also be a part of the same purse.

What big moves were seen in the trading window?

There was intense movement in the trading window before retention. The most talked about thing was the possible mega trade between Rajasthan and Chennai, which included names like Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja-Sam Curran. However, this could not be officially approved.

Some trades were definitely decided. Mumbai Indians bought Shardul Thakur from Lucknow for Rs 2 crore. Similarly, Gujarat Titans sent Sharfan Rutherford to Mumbai for Rs 2.6 crore. Many more names like Mohammed Shami, Arjun Tendulkar, and Mayank Markande are also in discussion, and any official update may come out before the retention is announced.

Which big players are likely to depart?

Many surprising releases can be seen this time. KKR may release Venkatesh Iyer, who was among the most expensive players in the last mega auction. RCB can also take a big decision on its foreign all-rounder Liam Livingston.

Winds of change are blowing in CSK too, and names like Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway are under threat. Punjab Kings may once again release Glenn Maxwell. Rajasthan Royals may consider removing players like Mahish Teekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga, while Delhi Capitals may change their decision on T Natarajan and Jake Fraser McGurk.

What kind of surprises can fans get today?

Every team is coming with a different strategy. Some franchises will bet on young players, while some may leave experienced faces and make a fresh start. This evening can witness many big changes. From today's retention for IPL 2026, it will become clear what is the vision of each team in the coming year and which players they have the most confidence in.