IPL Auction 2026 on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Team purses, released players, retained squads, and strategies explained ahead of the big bidding day.
From Kolkata Knight Riders holding the biggest purse to Chennai Super Kings triggering shockwaves with major releases, the auction table promises drama, tough calls, and bidding wars.
IPL Auction 2026 Purse Remaining: The IPL Auction 2026 is not just another player sale. It is a reset moment for several franchises. Big names are back in the pool. Old loyalties are broken. New strategies are in play.
Scheduled for December 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, the mini auction arrives at a time when teams are desperate to fix gaps before the new season. Some franchises enter with massive budgets. Others must make every rupee count.
From Kolkata Knight Riders holding the biggest purse to Chennai Super Kings triggering shockwaves with major releases, the auction table promises drama, tough calls, and bidding wars.
The IPL 2026 mini auction will take place on December 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi.
All ten franchises will compete to fill remaining squad slots. Teams will focus on balance, backups, and match-winners rather than full rebuilds.
The contrast could not be sharper. KKR can dominate the auction. MI must bargain smart.
Chennai Super Kings changed their identity before the auction even began.
They released Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, two pillars of their past success. The move signals a shift from loyalty to performance-based planning.
CSK now enters the auction with:
The franchise still retains MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Sanju Samson. But the loss of proven all-rounders leaves gaps in balance and experience.
KKR released several high-profile players, including Andre Russell, Quinton de Kock, and Venkatesh Iyer.
They now have:
With Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, and Varun Chakravarthy retained, KKR can chase star overseas players and build depth without pressure.
Mumbai Indians face the toughest challenge.
They retained most of their core, including Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav.
But with:
MI must rely on low-cost Indian talent or last-minute unsold players. Any mistake could hurt squad balance.
RCB released names like Liam Livingstone and Mayank Agarwal.
They now hold:
With Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, and Josh Hazlewood in place, RCB need finishing power and bowling depth to stay competitive.
Rajasthan Royals quietly made one of the smartest moves.
They traded for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, fixing their all-rounder problem before the auction.
RR now has:
With Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jofra Archer, and Riyan Parag retained, their focus will be on backups rather than marquee buys.
Both teams need overseas stability and Indian bench strength. Expect targeted bidding, not aggressive splurging.
Both sides already have strong cores. The auction will decide squad depth and injury cover.
LSG released several names, including David Miller and Ravi Bishnoi.
They now have:
With Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, and Mitchell Marsh retained, they will look for bowlers and finishers.
Three factors will dominate:
Teams with bigger purses control the tempo. Teams with smaller budgets must stay patient.
