IPL 2026: Surprise retentions, shocking exits and bold franchise calls before the mini-auction

It is that time of the year, folks. This is not quite a mega-auction year in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but the buzz around which players will be retained and released has hit a fever pitch. Each team, technically, can release their entire squad or can retain their entire complement, although that almost never happens.

Which means there will be particular things to keep an eye on. This piece will jump, precisely, into those aspects, looking at which shocking releases could be on the cards, and which players, despite expectations, could end up staying at their respective franchises.

Heinrich Klaasen (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – shocking release

Well, this may come as a surprise to many. But that is exactly why Klaasen is in this list. Ahead of the mega-auction last year, Klaasen was retained for Rs 23 crore – much higher than what the price slab prescribed. That, primarily, was down to his value as a T20 batter, and his status as one of the best on the planet.

He had a pretty decent year too, tallying 487 runs at a strike rate of more than 170 and at an average greater than 44, which included an unbeaten 105 off 39 balls against the Kolkata Knight Riders.

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But he has hung up his international boots since. While that, in theory, would enable him to be perennially available for SRH, it does also mean that he will not be facing top-class bowling attacks throughout the year, potentially dwindling his impact in the IPL.

Mini-auctions, in the past, have seen franchises overpay, but if SRH think they can buy Klaasen back for under what they retained him for, this release may not entirely be beyond the realms of possibility. Especially as they try and iron out the existing rough edges in their squad.

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Rachin Ravindra (Chennai Super Kings) – surprise retention

191 runs in eight innings, at an average just over 27 and at a strike rate a tick over 128 does not scream out greatness, especially in the IPL. And it feels even more underwhelming for a batter of Rachin’s class, who has shown he can be much more.

That, in a nutshell, is why CSK would be tempted to retain him, despite the presence of other viable options at the auction, and despite the fact that Rachin, as things stand, does not get into CSK’s first-choice top order. There is also the element of Rachin’s left-arm spin now possibly being a crucial component (especially if Ravindra Jadeja does move elsewhere).

CSK, historically, have shown greater patience in nurturing a player. And in Rachin, they could have a world-class future all-rounder on their books. Even if it means taking a slight risk on retaining him right now.

Quinton de Kock (Kolkata Knight Riders) – shocking release

There is no denying de Kock’s pedigree. In international cricket, and in the IPL. But there is also no denying that he is approaching the twilight of his career, and that the frequency of his impactful knocks is reducing. KKR felt that throughout the 2025 season, with de Kock striking, uncharacteristically, at less than 130, despite playing eight matches and having a highest score of 97*.

In Rahmanullah Gurbaz, KKR have a younger, like-for-like keeper- opening-batter replacement, and given he has, in the recent past, produced much better returns, especially against spin, KKR might not be too averse to letting the South African go.

Mohammed Shami (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – surprise retention

A couple of years ago, in the month of November, had anyone said franchises were contemplating whether to retain Shami or not, they would have been laughed at. Shami had just produced one of the greatest bowling displays across a World Cup campaign and he could, with the ball in his hand, do no wrong.

But those performances came at a cost, and Shami has been battling injuries since. He has not played for India much either, with SRH’s punt on him earlier this year also not paying off. But bowlers like Shami do not come around very often. And that is why SRH must keep him. Despite his high price point.

Plus, Shami will be chomping at the bit to prove his worth in white-ball cricket, with the ODI World Cup looming. He may not be on the selectors’ radar currently, but hey, nothing thrusts cricketers back onto that radar better than a strong IPL season. And SRH may not want that redemption arc to materialize in any other franchise’s colours.

Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders) – shocking release

Russell has been a stalwart in the IPL, often winning KKR games out of nowhere, and making people wonder what is indeed possible in terms of ball-striking and power-hitting. But he is not getting any younger. And his numbers are on the wane. Last season, he only mustered 167 IPL runs, and this year’s CPL also yielded only 89 more.

That said, finishers, who are also pace-bowling all-rounders, are not very ubiquitous. Largely because it demands a very specific skill-set, and that may yet prompt KKR to retain him. But at the auction, they might have a lot more options to choose from, and they may be able to get a finisher who might serve them in the longer term, and may cost less. Or they could even buy Russell back for a chunk of his current retention value.

Lots of ifs involved, but KKR might just chance their luck with this. Even if that involves letting go of a star that has, over the past decade, been a significant part of everything good the Knight Riders have done.

Avesh Khan (Lucknow Super Giants) – surprise retention

Avesh has not played any cricket since the culmination of the IPL and, like almost all of LSG’s Indian fast bowlers, seems injury-prone. But there is no doubting his ability, especially when he is on song, and his death-bowling, often an in-demand commodity, is also a little underrated.

LSG, anyway, might be looking to cash in on Mayank Yadav, who has undergone an even greater share of injuries than Avesh. There are also rumours that Ravi Bishnoi might be on his way out. And it, thus, feels imperative that LSG hold on to Avesh to ensure some sort of continuity, and ensure that their power-packed batting unit has a stable Indian bowling presence to lean on too.

Shimron Hetmyer (Rajasthan Royals) – shocking release

Hetmyer was retained ahead of the most recent mega-auction, and that seemed fitting for a batter who had flourished as a finisher for the Royals. The 2025 edition, though, was not as fruitful, and with rumours around RR bringing in Jadeja and Sam Curran - two left-handed batters who can also bat at the death – ripe, there may be a chance that the Royals dispense with Hetmyer.

Finishers, as is the case with Russell, perform a difficult role in any T20 side. But with Hetmyer not doing a lot to justify his current price tag, RR may feel they could target better and different alternatives at the auction, especially with top-order holes now potentially opening up in their side.

If they do it remains to be seen, but do not discount this scenario playing out entirely.

(Chennai Super Kings) – surprise retention

CSK usually do not shuffle their pack. Not during mega-auctions, nor during the mini-auctions that happen in between. But they have now failed to qualify for the playoffs in back-to-back seasons (which has never happened before, by the way), and that may force them into a few changes.

While releases could be the norm at CSK over the next few days, one player they must retain is Pathirana. He may not be playing much for Sri Lanka, and may have blown hot and cold in recent seasons, but he performs arguably the toughest bowling gig in the shortest format. Not to mention that premier overseas fast bowlers, in a mini-auction, go for plenty.

CSK also have a more than capable back-up in Nathan Ellis, and that gives them the luxury to keep Pathirana and let him rediscover his groove. Because when he does that, he wins titles, as he did in the 2023 season. And after two middling campaigns, chances are that is exactly what CSK would want in 2026.