IPL 2026 Retention List: Full Details & Latest Updates

The IPL 2026 retention phase concluded with teams finalizing their squads ahead of the mini-auction scheduled for December 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi. This year’s retention and trade window saw significant player movements, blockbuster trades, and strategic squad reshuffles. Here’s the complete update on IPL 2026 retentions, releases, and confirmed player trades.

IPL 2026 Retention Rules and Squad Size Limits

Teams could retain unlimited players within squad sizes of 18 to 25, while adhering to the ₹120 crore salary cap. The retention deadline was November 15, 2025, by 5 PM IST. Post-retention, franchises actively participated in a trading window to finalize player movements that would shape their squads ahead of the mini-auction. This structure allows teams to maintain strong cores while balancing budget and squad clarity.

IPL 2026 Blockbuster Player Trades: Jadeja, Samson & Curran

The highlight of IPL 2026 retention was the blockbuster triple-player trade between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR):

• Ravindra Jadeja joins Rajasthan Royals (RR) after 12 seasons with CSK, bringing extensive IPL experience and leadership.
• Sanju Samson, RR’s captain and key player, moves to CSK for a league fee of ₹18 crore. This is a major shift in team leadership and batting strategy.
• Sam Curran, the England all-rounder, transfers from CSK to RR with an existing fee of ₹2.4 crore.

These star moves significantly impact both teams' IPL 2026 campaigns.

Key IPL 2026 Player Trades 

Other major player transfers confirmed include:

• Mohammed Shami from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at ₹10 crore contract.
• Shardul Thakur to Mumbai Indians (MI) from LSG in a ₹2 crore all-cash deal.
• Sherfane Rutherford to MI from Gujarat Titans (GT) for ₹2.6 crore.
• Mayank Markande returning from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to MI.
• Arjun Tendulkar moving from MI to LSG.
• Nitish Rana transferred to Delhi Capitals (DC) from RR.
• Promising all-rounder Donovan Ferreira back to RR with a revised fee of ₹1 crore.

These trades diversify team compositions and strategies for IPL 2026.

IPL 2026 Player Retentions and Strategic Releases by Teams

Alongside trades, teams released various high-profile players to manage purse and squad balance:

• KKR released Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, among others.
• MI let go Will Jacks, Reece Topley, and other overseas talents.
• CSK released players including Devon Conway amid team restructuring.
• SRH also trimmed some overseas and Indian players.

The retention focus also highlighted teams investing in young Indian talent to strengthen squads for the future.

IPL 2026 Mini-Auction Date and Team Auction Strategies

With squad cores retained and key trades sorted, the IPL 2026 mini-auction on December 16, 2025, will focus on filling specific team needs. Expect competitive bidding for emerging talents and specialists to complement the retained squads. Teams aim to maximize impact buys while maintaining balance.