The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction is likely to be held in the second or third week of December, with December 13-15 emerging as the most likely dates. Franchise officials who have spoken to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have told Cricbuzz that discussions are focused on those dates, though the league’s Governing Council has not yet confirmed the final schedule.
IPL 2026 Auction May Return to India
Unlike the last two auctions, held overseas in Dubai (2023) and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (2024), this year’s mini-auction may take place in India. Franchise sources say it would not be surprising if the BCCI decides to keep the event within the country. However, no final decision has been made yet.
November 15 Retention Deadline
What is certain is that the retention deadline is set for November 15. By this date, all franchises must submit the names of players they plan to release before the auction. While most teams are not expected to make major changes, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, who finished at the bottom last season, may see bigger shake-ups.
Big Names on the Release List
Chennai Super Kings is reportedly considering releasing several players, including Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, Sam Curran, and even Devon Conway. The five-time champions already have INR 9.75 crore added to their budget following R Ashwin’s retirement from the IPL.
Rajasthan Royals may face the biggest decision regarding their captain, Sanju Samson, unless the franchise can arrange a trade for the skipper. There has also been talk about releasing their two Sri Lankan spinners, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. However, with Kumar Sangakkara set to return as head coach, those plans may change.
Other Players Who May Change Teams
Several other well-known players may need to find new franchises. This list includes T Natarajan, Mitchell Starc, Akash Deep, Mayank Yadav, and David Miller, though nothing has been confirmed yet. Venkatesh Iyer, who was the third most expensive buy at the last auction when Kolkata Knight Riders picked him up for INR 23.75 crore, may also be on the move.
Cameron Green Expected to Be Hot Property
According to franchise sources, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is expected to be one of the most sought-after players at the auction. Green missed the previous auction due to injury but has already attracted interest from several teams. He is sure to spark a bidding war when his name comes up.
IPL 2025 Winners
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won IPL 2025. It was their maiden title in which Virat Kohli played an integral part. After years of coming close, RCB finally lifted their first IPL trophy, bringing joy to millions of fans who had waited for this moment.
What’s Next?
With the retention deadline just weeks away, all ten franchises are carefully reviewing their squads and making tough decisions about which players to keep and which to release. The December auction promises to be an exciting event as teams look to strengthen their squads for the 2026 season.
Fans and cricket experts will be watching closely to see which players end up where and how much money teams are willing to spend on their top targets. The auction will set the stage for what promises to be another exciting season of the world’s most popular T20 league.
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