The IPL 2026 mini auction is upon us as the countdown for it has begun. “The auction will be on Dec 13-14 not sure but will get confirmation on it,I was waiting for the (league’s) department to announce it,” a league official, the BCCI, told The Times Of India.
All five franchisees are to announce their respective retention lists prior to the auction on November 15, 2025. This is the deadline when players are either let loose to the free agent pool or retained by their clubs. Here are some of the teams that are likely to make surprising moves at this year’s auction, especially considering what happened last season.
Venue for the Auction
Unlike the previous two, which were held overseas – Dubai in 2023 and Jeddah in 2024 – it’s understood the 2026 auction will take place in India. Although nothing is set in stone, people with the franchise believe that hosting the auction domestically could help in logistics and allow more fans to participate.
Retention and Player Releases
Although most sides will not tamper much with their core group, just like last season CSK and RR might shake things up as they were languishing near the bottom of the points table in IPL 2025.
Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi and overseas players Sam Curran and Devon Conway could be the ones on the chopping block for CSK. With the news of R Ashwin retiring from Indian Premier League, the five-time champions purchased INR 9.75 crore in players on Monday to give themselves a little option as they also look to rebuild their squad.
The Rajasthan Royals too, might consider a couple of wholesale changes. Captain Sanju Samson is supposedly on the list – baring a trade. There had also been talk that Rajasthan may let go their two Sri Lankan spinners, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, but with Kumar Sangakkara returning as head coach for the Royals, plans could change.
Others that might be up at the auction could also be T Natarajan, Mitchell Starc, Akash Deep, Mayank Yadav and David Miller. Big names such as Venkatesh Iyer, the third highest purchase in the previous auction, might also end up looking for new franchises.
Player to Watch
The big issue before the auction Cameron Green. The Australia all-rounder was unavailable for the last auction because of injury but already has several franchises eager to sign him. – Advertisement – Analysts anticipate that Green could be among the most demanded players in December, as teams look to boost their prospective tilts for his overall capabilities.
What This Means for Teams
Team strategies will be heavily influenced by the retention deadline and the aforesaid auction. These moves may be crucial for struggling franchises like CSK and RR to get back next season. Chinese teams will be trying to hold on to their big names, while also creating enough financial room for emerging domestic talents and international superstars.
There will be some blockbuster trades, savvy releases and plenty of auction-period drama in the next couple of weeks. Top parties with the likes of Cameron Green at the forefront as well as many teams needing an overhaul; next year’s IPL, 2026 looks set to be another exciting season.
