New Delhi: The countdown for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has kicked off as all teams gear up to finalise their retentions ahead of the auction. The IPL 2026 auction is reportedly set to take place in December this year. The trading window is currently on ahead of the retention deadline, which is November 15.
Jio Star, the official broadcasters of the IPL, on Saturday confirmed that all ten franchises will reveal their final list of retained and released players on the deadline day – November 15. The date was confirmed on Saturday, November 08, immediately after India clinched the five-match T20I series against Australia 2-1, following a washout in the fifth T20I at The Gabba in Brisbane.
The buzz around the retentions and the IPL 2026 auction is peaking ahead of the deadline day as several rumours have been floating around regarding possible trade deals between franchises. A number of big names have been tipped to switch teams or come to the auction pool ahead of the new season.
The IPL 2026 auction will be a mini one, and there will be no cap on the number of players a franchise can retain. A franchise can release and retain as many players as they want to before the auction. The players can also be traded in the existing trading window, which will close a week before the auction.
The trading window will reopen a week post the auction and will close a week before the IPL 2026 season kicks off. Several franchises, including Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, are expected to be busy in the upcoming mini auction as they look to strengthen their respective squads after enduring poor campaigns last season.