General
The day every IPL fan waits for has finally arrived. Saturday, 15 November, is the official deadline for all ten IPL franchises to submit their retained and released players list for the 2026 season. The pressure is on, big names are on the line, and several stars are waiting to see whether they stay with their teams or return to the high-stakes auction pool.
In the build-up to the big reveal, the retention landscape has already become dramatic. Shardul Thakur and Sherfane Rutherford have completed trades to the Mumbai Indians, moving from Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans, respectively. Meanwhile, whispers in the cricket world suggest that Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja may be involved in a massive marquee swap involving Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, though fans must wait for official confirmation.
With the retention deadline, a busy mini auction, and a wide-open trading window, the journey to the IPL 2026 squad rebuild has only just begun.
General What Is the IPL 2026 Retention Deadline and Why It Matters for All 10 IPL Teams?
The retention deadline is the first and most crucial step in shaping each team’s identity for the next season. On 15 November at 5 PM IST, all franchises must hand over their final lists of:
- Retained players, who will stay
- Released players, who re-enter the auction pool
This process directly affects team strategies for the upcoming mini auction on 16 December in Abu Dhabi.
Unlike seasons with mega auctions, IPL 2026 has no limit on the number of players a team can retain, a rule that gives teams full freedom to build stability and long-term continuity.
General What Are the Official IPL 2026 Retention Rules and Squad Regulations?
The IPL 2026 retention guidelines remain straightforward, but they define the core team structure:
- No cap on the number of players a franchise can retain
- Maximum squad size: 25 players
- Salary cap for 2026 season: Rs 120 crore
Teams must manage their budget carefully to decide whether marquee players are worth retaining or should be released to rebalance funds.
With no mega auction this cycle, franchises have the chance to keep their core intact rather than rebuild from scratch, an approach many teams believe leads to long-term championship consistency.
General What Big Trades Have Already Taken Place Before the IPL 2026 Retention Deadline?
The trading window opened on 4 June, the day after the IPL 2025 final, and teams wasted no time:
General Shardul Thakur to Mumbai Indians
From Lucknow Super Giants, the experienced all-rounder adds balance to MI’s squad.
General Sherfane Rutherford to Mumbai Indians
A powerful finisher brought in from Gujarat Titans.
General Reports hint at a possible blockbuster Jadeja–Samson swap
If finalised, this could become one of the most talked-about trades in IPL history, Sanju Samson possibly to CSK and Ravindra Jadeja possibly to Rajasthan Royals.
General Venkatesh Iyer likely to be released
The KKR all-rounder, bought for Rs 23.75 crore last year, is expected to enter the auction pool as the franchise reworks its balance.
More trades may follow even after the retention lists are announced, because…
General How Long Does the IPL 2026 Trading Window Stay Open?
The IPL allows trading even after the retention list goes public. The trading window:
- Opened: 4 June 2025
- Closes: 9 December 2025 (one week before the Abu Dhabi mini auction)
This means teams can still fix gaps, swap players, and finalise their strategy well after the initial retention show.
General When and Where to Watch IPL 2026 Retention Live With Full Broadcast and Streaming Details
The IPL Retention show is now a standalone event with massive fan interest. Here are the full details:
General Date & Time
Saturday, 15 November 2025, from 5 PM IST
Broadcast begins right after the final ball of Day 2 of the India vs South Africa 1st Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
General Where to Watch on TV?
The full telecast will be available live on Star Sports Network.
General Where to Watch Online?
Live streaming of IPL 2026 Retention will be on the
JioHotstar app and website.
This ensures fans can tune in from anywhere, mobile, laptop or smart TV.
General Why IPL 2026 Retention Is Expected to Be One of the Most Unpredictable Yet
With no limit on retentions, Rs 120 crore purse, big names on the edge, and a mini auction in Abu Dhabi, this year’s retention day promises:
- Bold decisions
- Surprising releases
- Unexpected trades
- High drama before the auction
The decisions taken today will shape the IPL 2026 competition more than any other step in the entire cycle.
General IPL 2026 Retention Is the Start of a New Chapter
From power-packed trades to potential game-changing releases, the IPL 2026 retention deadline marks the beginning of the season’s biggest rebuild story. Whether teams hold on to their long-term stars or send them into the auction pool, Saturday’s big announcement is set to redefine strategies heading into the Abu Dhabi mini auction.
Fans should strap in, IPL 2026 is already buzzing, and the cricketing theatre has only just begun.