Last Updated:
The IPL player-trading window adds excitement beyond the season. Here’s everything you need to know about it, from deadlines to which players can be traded.
Sanju Samson and KL Rahul are subject to some pre-IPL 2026 trade rumors.
(Sportzpics Photo)
In recent years, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen an added layer of excitement beyond the playing season. This is because of the player-trading window.
It has always existed, and the first trade was made as long back as 2009, but recently, with players’ wishes becoming more and more important, franchises are open to more trades. Two years ago, we saw the most high-profile switch in the competition’s history with Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya moving back to his first, boyhood franchise, Mumbai Indians, for an undisclosed fee.
This year, the biggest talking point already is Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson being reportedly open to a move away, with Chennai Super Kings the biggest suitor. There will be more names as the season comes closer, so here’s everything you need to know about the IPL trade windows.
What’s a trade?
It’s just like a football transfer. Let’s imagine with a simple hypothetical example. Samson wants to leave RR, and they decide to let him leave and join CSK.
CSK would pay RR a transfer fee. Samson’s RR salary of Rs. 18 crore would be freed from their purse for the 2026 auction and added to CSK’s expenses. His contract terms would remain the same for CSK, and Samson can then play in Yellow.
Is there a limit to the transfer fee?
Unlike the same purse allotted to each franchise to promote equality, there’s no limit on transfer fees. This means that a richer franchise can sway a smaller one by offering it a huge amount, which won’t be reflected in their IPL books.
It is a big factor that doesn’t have to be disclosed to the public. Players being traded can take up to a 50% cut in the fees, but it’s not guaranteed by law.
What about player exchanges?
That’s the second mode of IPL trades. In our hypothetical scenario, CSK can offer RR two of its players in exchange for Samson. Any price difference is then paid in cash and reflected in the purse money.
How long does the IPL trade window last?
The player-trading window starts a month after a season ends (for this year, July 3) and stays open up to a week before the auction date.
It’s halted for the period of the auction and then continued until a month before the start of the next season.
Which IPL players can be traded this year?
Before the auction begins, all players currently part of a franchise’s squads will be up for trade. The players freshly brought in the auction (in our case, the IPL 2026 auction) can’t be traded.
Who has the final say in IPL trades?
The franchises. If, for instance, CSK and RR agree on terms for Samson’s trade but the player doesn’t want to leave, RR will have the final say, and should they decide to release him anyway, he can’t do anything about it.
What are some of the biggest trades in IPL?
- Hardik Pandya; From: Gujarat Titans → Mumbai Indians; Year: 2023; Price: ₹15 crore
- Cameron Green; From: Mumbai Indians → Royal Challengers Bangalore; Year: 2023; Price: ₹17.5 crore
- Avesh Khan; From: Lucknow Super Giants → Rajasthan Royals; Year: 2024; Price: ₹10 crore
view comments
Read More
