IPL 2026: RCB, MI, CSK, LSG, KKR, SRH, GT, RR, DC, PBKS retained and released player list
IPL 2026: The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 player retention lists for all 10 teams were officially announced today, Saturday, November 15, 2025, ahead of the mini-auction. IPL 2026: RCB, MI, CSK, LSG, KKR, SRH, GT, RR,DC, PBKS retained and released player list.
Since this is a mini-auction, teams had the flexibility to retain as many players as they wished, provided they stayed within the maximum squad size of 25 and the Rs 120 crore salary cap. The retention process also included several key trades.
Complete list of retained and released players list of all 10 franchises:
Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
CSK made one of the biggest moves by trading for Sanju Samson but had to let go of a legend in the process.
Key Retentions: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), MS Dhoni, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis.
Traded In: Sanju Samson (from RR).
Major Releases/Traded Out: Ravindra Jadeja (traded to RR), Sam Curran (traded to RR), Matheesha Pathirana, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra.
Mumbai Indians (MI):
MI has retained their core group and made several trade deals.
Key Retentions: Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (C), Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult.
Traded In: Shardul Thakur (from LSG), Sherfane Rutherford (from GT), Mayank Markande (from KKR).
Major Releases: Reece Topley.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):
The defending champions have retained the majority of their successful squad.
Key Retentions: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar. Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt.
Major Releases: Liam Livingstone, Lungi Ngidi.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):
KKR made some of the most surprising releases of the day, including long-term players.
Key Retentions: Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Major Releases: Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
GT is looking to rebuild after a series of changes.
Key Retentions: Shubman Gill (C), Rashid Khan, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia.
Major Releases/Traded Out: Sherfane Rutherford (traded to MI).
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH):
SRH has retained key foreign players and a strong Indian core.
Key Retentions: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, Ishan Kishan .
Major Releases/Traded Out: Mohammed Shami (traded to LSG), Adam Zampa.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG):
LSG has strengthened their pace attack through a trade.
Key Retentions: Rishab Pant, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni.
Traded In: Mohammed Shami (from SRH), Arjun Tendulkar (from MI).
Major Releases/Traded Out: Shardul Thakur (traded to MI), Ravi Bishnoi, David Miller.
Rajasthan Royals (RR):
RR were heavily involved in the trade window, welcoming a former star back to the franchise.
Key Retentions: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer.
Traded In: Ravindra Jadeja (from CSK), Sam Curran (from CSK), Donovan Ferreira (from DC).
Major Releases/Traded Out: Sanju Samson (traded to CSK), Nitish Rana (traded to DC), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana.
Delhi Capitals (DC):
DC has retained its captain and a mix of experienced and young players.
Key Retentions: Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Mitchell Marsh, Kuldeep Yadav.
Traded In: Nitish Rana (from RR).
Major Releases/Traded Out: Donovan Ferreira (traded to RR), Faf du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk.
Punjab Kings (PBKS):
PBKS retained a large number of players to maintain consistency.
Key Retentions: Shreyas Iyer, Marcos Stoinis,
Major Releases: Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis.
The released players now enter the IPL 2026 Mini-Auction pool, which is scheduled for December 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi.
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