The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season is heating up even before the first ball is bowled. With the mini auction just around the corner, all ten franchises are trimming their squads by releasing underperformers or expensive buys who didn’t meet expectations.
From RCB’s fairytale title win in 2025 to Chennai Super Kings aiming for a fresh core, here’s a team-by-team breakdown of the players most likely to be released this season.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
DC underperformed with both bat and ball last season, and they’re expected to release some aging bowlers and bring in explosive Indian talents in the middle order. Their release strategy shows a need to rework their bowling unit.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Donovan Ferreira | Allrounder |
| Dushmanta Chameera | Bowler |
| Mukesh Kumar | Bowler |
| Mohit Sharma | Bowler |
| Faf du Plessis | Batter |
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
RR started strong last season but faded in the second half, highlighting depth issues. They’ll likely release underwhelming middle-order batters and invest in Indian bowling talent at the auction.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Nitish Rana | Batter |
| W Hasaranga | Bowler |
| Dhruv Jurel | Batter |
| Tushar Deshpande | Bowler |
| Kwena Maphaka | Bowler |
SEE ALSO: IPL Winners List 2008 to 2025: Year-wise Champions, Runners-Up, and IPL 2025 Winner
Gujarat Titans (GT)
GT is likely to go into transition mode, especially after Rashid Khan’s fitness concerns and underwhelming performances from their Indian bench. A few surprising names could be dropped as they build a new core around their captain.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Dasun Shanaka | Allrounder |
| Rashid Khan | Bowler |
| Karim Janat | Allrounder |
| Shahrukh Khan | Batter |
| Rahul Tewatia | Allrounder |
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Even though KKR made it to the playoffs, they faced issues with their middle-order falling apart and some of their overseas players not performing well. Now, they might look to bring in fresh Indian talent and rethink their choices when it comes to foreign players.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Venkatesh Iyer | Allrounder |
| Ramandeep Singh | Batter |
| Manish Pandey | Batter |
| Spencer Johnson | Bowler |
| Moeen Ali | Allrounder |
SEE ALSO: Delhi Premier League: DPL 2025 Start Date, Schedule, Teams, and Auction Details
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
PBKS impressed with their run to the finals but still have several high-price overseas allrounders under review. The team’s release list may focus on regaining purse strength for specialist additions.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Xavier Bartlett | Bowler |
| Glenn Maxwell | Allrounder |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | Allrounder |
| Harpreet Brar | Bowler |
| Aaron Hardie | Allrounder |
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Inconsistency plagued LSG last season. With big names like Pant and Miller not delivering, the franchise is expected to go for a leaner, fitter squad with better bowling balance and finishing power.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Abdul Samad | Batter |
| Mayank Yadav | Bowler |
| Prince Yadav | Bowler |
| M Siddharth | Bowler |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Bowler |
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
After a mixed 2025 campaign, CSK is expected to rebuild with fresh domestic talent and let go of senior players who didn’t deliver under pressure. The focus is clearly on future planning and strengthening the all-round department.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Vijay Shankar | Allrounder |
| Rachin Ravindra | Allrounder |
| Deepak Hooda | Allrounder |
| Ravi Ashwin | Bowler |
| Rahul Tripathi | Batter |
SEE ALSO: SA20 2026 Schedule Announced: Full Fixtures, Dates, Timings, and Venues
Mumbai Indians (MI)
After failing to qualify for the playoffs again, MI will be keen to revamp their bowling department. The franchise may also part ways with some all-rounders and injury-prone stars.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Charith Asalanka | Allrounder |
| Robin Minz | WK-Batter |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Bowler |
| Reece Topley | Bowler |
| Tilak Varma | Batter |
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
SRH had a forgettable season and will look to rebuild their squad from scratch. Releasing aging stars and inconsistent top-order batters will give them a much-needed fresh start.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Ishan Kishan | Batter |
| Mohammed Shami | Bowler |
| Rahul Chahar | Bowler |
| Atharva Taide | Allrounder |
| Harsh Dubey | Allrounder |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
RCB finally ended their title drought in 2025! While they’ll retain most of their champion squad, they are expected to release backup bowlers and injury-prone players to stay competitive.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Mayank Agarwal | Batter |
| Liam Livingstone | Allrounder |
| Rasikh Salam Dar | Bowler |
| Nuwan Thusara | Bowler |
| Lungi Ngidi | Bowler |
SEE ALSO: Most Valuable IPL Team 2025 Revealed! RCB Takes the Top Spot After Historic Win
FAQ’S: IPL 2026 Released Players
1. Which players were released by Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2026?
Chennai Super Kings are expected to release players like Vijay Shankar, Devon Conway, and R. Ashwin to build a more dynamic squad for IPL 2026.
2. Has Rashid Khan been released by Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026?
Yes, Gujarat Titans are likely parting ways with Rashid Khan, potentially due to injury concerns and team restructuring for the upcoming season.
3. Who are the major players released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for IPL 2026?
Despite winning their first IPL title, RCB is expected to release players like Liam Livingstone and Yash Dayal to optimize their squad balance.
4. Is Rishabh Pant being released by Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026?
Surprisingly, Rishabh Pant may not be released by LSG, possibly due to form or strategic changes for the 2026 season.
5. Which teams have the biggest list of released players for IPL 2026?
Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, and Punjab Kings are among the teams with the largest list of released players ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction.
6. Why are IPL teams releasing big-name players before the 2026 mini auction?
Franchises release players to balance budgets, make room for new talent, and improve team composition after evaluating past performances.
7. What is the mini auction in IPL 2026?
The IPL 2026 mini auction allows teams to make limited squad changes, focusing on releasing and signing specific players without a complete squad overhaul.
8. Which overseas players have been released for IPL 2026?
Overseas stars like Quinton de Kock, Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, and Moeen Ali are reportedly released due to performance or injury issues.
9. How many players can each IPL team retain in 2026?
Since it’s a mini auction, most IPL teams retain their core players, typically keeping 15–18 players and releasing 4–7 underperformers.
10. Which IPL team won the 2025 season and how does it impact their release list?
RCB won the 2025 IPL season. Their release list is smaller, mostly trimming backup bowlers and players who didn’t feature regularly.
