The last two Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions were held outside India, with Dubai hosting the 2023 edition and Jeddah staging the most recent mega auction. However, the upcoming 2026 IPL mini auction may mark a return to Indian soil.
Several franchise sources have told Cricbuzz that if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decides to organise the event domestically, it should not come as a surprise. The auction venue is yet to be finalised, but discussions are ongoing.
The previous mega auction was held on 19 December, but this year’s mini auction could be scheduled slightly earlier, potentially between 13 and 15 December, according to Cricbuzz.
Before the auction, franchises will have the chance to retain players and must submit their final retention and release lists by 15 November. While many teams are expected to retain most of their squads, changes are anticipated particularly for sides that finished lower on the points table, such as Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
Chennai have already seen Ravichandran Ashwin retire from the IPL, giving them a salary cap space of ₹9.75 crore. They are also reportedly considering releasing Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, Sam Curran, and even Devon Conway.
Rajasthan Royals could undergo major changes as well, with speculation continuing around the future of captain Sanju Samson. Though unconfirmed, his possible departure could significantly reshape the team. The Royals might also release Sri Lankan spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga, though one of them may stay due to the return of head coach Kumar Sangakkara.
Several other players are also expected to be on the lookout for new teams, including Indian bowlers Thangarasu Natarajan, Akash Deep, and Mayank Yadav. Australia’s Mitchell Starc and South Africa’s David Miller are also among the big names who could be released.
Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who played for Delhi Capitals as a temporary replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk, cannot be retained under league rules.
Another major point of interest is Venkatesh Iyer, who was acquired for ₹23.75 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders last season. The franchise is yet to decide on his future, but retaining him could limit their flexibility in the upcoming auction.
Meanwhile, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who missed the last season due to injury, is expected to attract considerable attention during the bidding.
