The IPL 2026 player auction is all set to take place in India next month. Ahead of the auctions, all 10 IPL teams are expected to announce their list of released and retained players by November 15. Ahead of the players’ retention deadline, here’s a look at one big-money signing each IPL team is likely to release ahead of the upcoming auction.
Kolkata Knight Riders signed Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 23.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, but the Madhya Pradesh-based cricketer could only manage to score 142 runs in seven innings of 11 matches. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
Indian fast bowler Mayank Yadav was retained for Rs 11 crore by Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Due to injury-related issues, the Delhi-based cricketer only played two matches in the entire season for the Rishabh Pant-led side. (Picture Credit: AP)
Shimron Hetmyer was retained for Rs 11 crore by Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. The left-handed batter from the West Indies played 14 matches and scored 239 runs. He wasn’t able to finish multiple matches for the Jaipur-based franchise and invited a lot of criticism. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
Fast bowler T Natarajan was signed for Rs 10.75 crore by Delhi Capitals in the mega auctions last year, but due to fitness-related issues, he only played two matches for the Axar Patel-led side in IPL 2025 and failed to take any wickets. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
South African speedster Kagiso Rabada was signed for Rs 10.75 crore by Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2025 mega auction, but he only played four matches for the Shubman Gill-led side and dismissed two batters. (Picture Credit: AP)
Mohammed Shami played nine matches in IPL 2025 for Sunrisers Hyderabad and picked up six wickets. Due to poor form, he was even dropped from the playing XI by the Hyderabad-based franchise who had signed him for Rs 9 crore in the mega auction. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
Mumbai Indians secured Deepak Chahar’s services for Rs 9.25 crore in the mega auction last year. The former CSK pacer played 14 matches and dismissed 11 batters but conceded runs at an economy of 9.17. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
England all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who joined RCB for Rs 8.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, scored 112 runs in 10 matches of IPL 2025. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
Chennai Super Kings signed New Zealand batter Devon Conway for Rs 6.25 crore, but he only played six matches and scored 156 runs. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Legendary Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell joined PBKS for Rs 4.20 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. He played seven matches for the Shreyas Iyer-led side but was only able to score 48 runs in six innings. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
