TATA IPL 2026 Player Retentions Announced - Full Team-Wise List, Purse Details, Trades & Auction Insights

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The excitement for the upcoming Indian Premier League season has intensified with the announcement of the TATA IPL 2026 player retention list. 

After the retention window closed on November 15, 2025, all ten franchises officially confirmed their squad cores for the new season. This year’s retention phase brought together a mix of expected decisions, bold calls, and strategic planning as teams positioned themselves for the highly anticipated auction. 

From surprising trade moves to purse imbalances across teams, IPL 2026 is already shaping up to be a compelling season.

IPL 2026 Retention Highlights

The IPL 2026 retention phase saw teams finalize their strongest player combinations. A total of 173 players were retained across the ten teams, out of which 49 are overseas players. Collectively, the franchises now have ₹237.55 crore remaining in their salary caps. As the squads stand, 77 auction slots are open for teams to fill. 

Interestingly, the Punjab Kings retained the highest number of players with a total of 21, showing their preference for continuity, while the Kolkata Knight Riders head into the auction with the largest purse of ₹64.3 crore. 

On the other end, Mumbai Indians have the smallest remaining purse with ₹2.75 crore but also retain one of the most settled squads in the league.

IPL 2026 Retention Summary

This year’s retention summary reveals the contrasting strategies franchises are adopting. While Punjab Kings chose stability by holding on to the maximum number of players, other franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders opted for a leaner squad ahead of the auction, aiming to rebuild with a heavy purse. 

Mumbai Indians, despite having minimal salary space left, appear confident in the continuity of their experienced group. The overall league trend suggests a strong focus on retaining all-rounders, fast bowlers, and established match-winners.

IPL 2026 Auction Date & Venue

Each franchise’s financial and squad position before the auction:

Franchise	Squad Size	Overseas	Money Spent (₹ Cr)	Salary Cap Left (₹ Cr)	Slots Left	Overseas Slots
CSK	16	4	81.6	43.4	9	4
DC	17	3	103.2	21.8	8	5
GT	20	4	112.1	12.9	5	4
KKR	12	2	60.7	64.3	13	6
LSG	19	4	102.05	22.95	6	4
MI	20	7	122.25	2.75	5	1
PBKS	21	6	113.5	11.5	4	2
RCB	17	6	108.6	16.4	8	2
RR	16	7	108.95	16.05	9	1
SRH	15	6	99.5	25.5	10	2

Team-wise Squad Size, Salary Cap & Available Slots

Entering the auction, each franchise finds itself in a unique financial and squad position. Teams such as Chennai Super Kings, with ₹43.4 crore available and nine open slots, have room for both domestic and overseas reinforcements. 

On the opposite end, Mumbai Indians, with just ₹2.75 crore left and five slots to fill, will need to be precise in their selections. 

Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders, boasting the highest purse of ₹64.3 crore, have 13 available positions and ample flexibility to rebuild large portions of their squad. This diversity in purse strength and squad requirements sets the stage for intriguing auction strategies across teams.

Team-Wise IPL 2026 Retained Players List 

1. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

CSK have retained 16 players, maintaining a balance of experienced leaders and promising young performers. The franchise continues to trust its core group, led by the iconic MS Dhoni, with Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Dewald Brevis adding depth. With ₹43.4 crore left in their purse, CSK is well-positioned to strengthen areas such as pace and finishing.

2. Delhi Capitals (DC)

Delhi Capitals have held on to 17 players, headlined by KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav, while retaining Mitchell Starc emphasizes their confidence in his game-changing abilities. With ₹21.8 crore available, DC could focus on boosting their all-rounder options and bench strength.

3. Gujarat Titans (GT)

GT have retained 20 players, showing a strong preference for continuity. Their foundation remains anchored by Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan, while Mohammad Siraj adds firepower to their bowling lineup. Their remaining purse of ₹12.9 crore suggests a quieter yet strategic approach at the auction.

4. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

KKR made bold decisions by retaining just 12 players as they head into the auction with the largest purse - ₹64.3 crore. With match-winners like Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, and Rovman Powell still in the squad, KKR will prioritize rebuilding key departments, especially their pace attack and lower order.

5. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

LSG have maintained a solid unit of 19 players, retaining reliable names such as Aiden Markram, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Nicholas Pooran. With ₹22.95 crore in hand, they may look to enhance finishing roles and pace depth.

6. Mumbai Indians (MI)

MI kept 20 players, securing continuity with stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav. Although they have just ₹2.75 crore left, their squad looks complete, and their auction approach will likely focus only on select specialist roles.

7. Punjab Kings (PBKS)

With 21 retained players - the highest in the league - PBKS aim to maintain stability heading into the new season. Key overseas performers like Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, and Lockie Ferguson feature in their squad. They retain ₹11.5 crore for targeted additions.

8. Rajasthan Royals (RR)

RR have kept 16 players and made impactful additions via trades, acquiring Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Coupled with match-winners like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jofra Archer, RR enter the auction with ₹16.05 crore, likely seeking role-specific talent such as death bowlers.

9. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

RCB have retained 17 players as they head into IPL 2026 with confidence after their championship season. Virat Kohli remains the centerpiece, supported by Devdutt Padikkal and Tim David. With ₹16.4 crore left, RCB will look to sharpen their bowling depth and backups.

10. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

SRH have kept 15 players and hold a strong purse of ₹25.5 crore and ten available slots. With match-winners like Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, and Ishan Kishan retained, SRH will likely focus on specialist death bowlers and all-rounders at the auction.

IPL 2026 Trades & Transfers Summary

The 2026 pre-season has been especially active in terms of trades, reshaping several squads. Rajasthan Royals pulled off some of the biggest moves by acquiring Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, significantly bolstering their all-rounder department. 

CSK made headlines by bringing in Sanju Samson, while Mumbai Indians strengthened their bowling with Mayank Markande and Shardul Thakur. LSG added experience by acquiring Mohammad Shami and Arjun Tendulkar, and RR brought in Donovan Ferreira. 

Meanwhile, Nitish Rana’s move to Delhi Capitals and Sherfane Rutherford joining Mumbai have further stirred excitement. These trades have already altered team dynamics even before the auction begins.

Major Takeaways From IPL 2026 Player Retentions

The major storylines emerging from the IPL 2026 retention announcement include the continued presence of legends like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli with their respective franchises, providing massive morale boosts to CSK and RCB fans. 

Rohit Sharma staying with Mumbai Indians also marks stability in their leadership structure. Rajasthan Royals’ focus on strengthening their all-rounder group has made them one of the most balanced teams ahead of the auction. Finally, Kolkata Knight Riders’ massive purse has created curiosity about their potential big-money signings during the auction.

Which Teams Are Best Positioned for the IPL 2026 Auction?

As the auction approaches, KKR stands out as the team with the strongest financial position thanks to its ₹64.3 crore purse and 13 available slots. SRH follows with a sizable budget and ten open spots, giving them flexibility to secure high-impact players. 

CSK also enter with nine open slots and a healthy purse of ₹43.4 crore, giving them the freedom to acquire key specialists. Meanwhile, teams like MI, despite their low budget, may only require minor tweaks due to their already-stable squad structure.

What to Expect at the IPL 2026 Auction

With a mix of large purses and targeted needs across teams, the auction is expected to feature intense bidding wars for fast bowlers, versatile all-rounders, and powerful finishers. 

Teams with multiple overseas slots such as KKR, DC, and SRH will likely dominate the early bidding phases, looking to secure game-changing talent. On the other hand, teams with smaller purses, especially MI and PBKS, will focus on value-buy opportunities to complete their squads effectively. 

The IPL 2026 player retention announcement has already sparked discussions and excitement as teams prepare for a highly competitive season. With big trades, strong cores, and massive purse differences across teams, the 2026 auction promises high drama.

Stay tuned with Googly Guide for updates on December 16 when teams battle it out at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi to finalize their squads for the much-anticipated IPL 2026 season.

FAQs

Q1. Which players were released for IPL 2026?

The official list of released players will be announced soon. Several notable players are expected to enter the auction pool based on team purse strategies and squad reshuffles.

Q2. How many players can be retained in IPL 2026?

There is no fixed retention limit. Teams can retain as many players as they want as long as they stay within the overall squad size and salary cap rules.

Q3. Is Rohit Sharma playing IPL 2026?

Yes. Mumbai Indians have officially retained Rohit Sharma, confirming his participation in IPL 2026.

Q4. Who did RCB retain for IPL 2026?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have retained key players like Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, and Tim David as part of their core squad.

Q5. How many players can be in an IPL squad?

An IPL team can have a maximum of 25 players, with up to 8 overseas players allowed within that limit.

Q6. When will the IPL 2026 trade window reopen?

The next trade window will reopen immediately after the IPL 2026 auction concludes on December 16, 2025.