IPL 2026 auction likely to be held on December 13-15, retention deadline on November 15 - Reports

The BCCI is yet to give details on all aspects of the IPL 2026 auction.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction is likely to be held in the second or third week of December, with December 13–15 emerging as the probable window.

All the franchise officials have met the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) representatives, and reports in Cricbuzz have stated that discussions have been focused on these dates, and everyone is waiting for the governing council to give its formal approval.

Coming to the venue of the IPL 2026 auction, the Cricbuzz report also indicated that the BCCI is looking to host the mini auction in India only.

Unlike the previous two auctions, which were held in Dubai (2023) and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (2024), this time franchise insiders have the inkling that BCCI will be hosting the IPL 2026 auction in India itself, with them waiting for formal confirmation.

IPL 2026 player retention deadline almost confirmed

Cricbuzz has further revealed that the player retention deadline is likely to be set at November 15. This will be the date for all the franchises to finalize their list of players to keep and release in the IPL 2026 auction.  

While this is a mini auction, not many huge surprises are being expected in the majority of franchises. Only two champion franchises, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), who finished at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table, are expected to release a host of players and overhaul their squad.

CSK, for the first time, finished at the 10th spot in the IPL 2025, and it was much to do with the lack of performances from players Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, Sam Curran, and even Devon Conway, to name a few. These players are at the top of possible releases from the CSK franchise, who already have INR 9.75 crores, thanks to the retirement of ace spinner Ravi Ashwin.

Coming to the Rajasthan Royals, who finished at the eihth spot, their captain, Sanju Samson, is likely to part ways with the team he has been associated with since 2013. Furthermore, there are speculations of RR releasing their two Sri Lankan spinners, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. But the plans might change as Kumar Sangakkara has taken over as head coach of the franchise.

Meanwhile, there are other players like T. Natarajan, Mitchell Starc, Akash Deep, Mayank Yadav, and David Miller, who might be released by the respective franchises, the reason might vary from them being too expensive to retain or too free up money for the mini-auction.

Cameron Green, the Australian all-rounder, will be the main attraction when and if he comes into the IPL 2026 auction. He missed the IPL 2025 auction due to his back injury, but has recovered enough to slam a century and runs recently in the South Africa T20I series.

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