IPL 2026 Auction: Reports hint at Sanju Samson, Sam Curran among big names to be released

The dates for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction have been leaked by a media house and also the names of players who could be released by their respective franchises. At the top of the pile are Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson and Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Sam Curran.

The mini auction for IPL 2026 is most likely to take place in the second or third week of December. Cricbuzz says it can be held between 13-15 December, but the IPL Governing Council is yet to take a final call.

CSK to release five players, while RR may lose Sanju Samson

The last IPL auctions took place in the Middle East, but the December event may be held locally as teams look to tune up the squad for another season of thrill and drama.

The retention deadline for IPL 2026 could be 15 November and as per the report, CSK could release a host of players after a 10th-place finish in IPL 2025 with just four wins. Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, Sam Curran and Devon Conway are some of the players MS Dhoni’s franchise could release, if Cricbuzz is to be believed.

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With R Ashwin already retiring, CSK has an added Rs 9.75 crore in their purse and the idea will be to enter the auction with a heavier kitty to revamp the squad that performed well below expectations earlier this year.

Rajasthan Royals could also lose Samson as the batter has reportedly made up his mind to leave the franchise. CSK is expected to bid for him in the auction. RR could try to trade him to some franchise as well. Sri Lankan spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana also face the threat of the axe.

T Natarajan (Delhi Capitals), Mitchell Starc (Delhi Capitals), Akash Deep (Lucknow Super Giants), Mayank Yadav (Lucknow Super Giants) and David Miller (Lucknow Super Giants) could be released before 15 November.

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Cameron Green, meanwhile, is expected to be the main attraction in the IPL 2026 auction after missing the last auction due to an injury.