IPL 2026: Full Released Players List for All 10 Teams Ahead of the Mini Auction

As the excitement builds for the IPL 2026 Mini Auction, all 10 franchises have officially announced their list of retained and released players. With 75 players released across teams, this year’s auction pool is set to be one of the most competitive in recent seasons. While several strategic releases were expected, the biggest shock came with the retirement of two iconic overseas stars — Faf du Plessis and Andre Russell — who opted out of the IPL after illustrious careers.

Saying goodbye with emotions was a signal that for all, the end of an era had come, and that included not only the fans but also the CSK, RCB, and KKR franchises that had long been counting on their veterans' presence and knowledge.

Mainly teams were thinking of their core being even stronger and having more money to spend in the mini auction. With significant Indian and overseas players becoming available, it is predicted that the franchises will have fierce bidding wars to fill the important vacancies in their teams.

Below is the complete list of players released by each team ahead of IPL 2026:

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) — Released Players

• Ravichandran Ashwin (Retired)
• Deepak Hooda
• Rahul Tripathi
• Vijay Shankar
• Vansh Bedi
• Andre Siddarth
• Shaikh Rasheed
• Matheesha Pathirana (OS)
• Devon Conway (OS)
• Rachin Ravindra (OS)

CSK made some major changes, parting ways with several key names. While Ashwin retired, the release of Pathirana, Conway, and Ravindra has raised eyebrows, with both Pathirana and Ravindra expected to attract strong bidding interest.

Delhi Capitals (DC) — Released Players

• Faf du Plessis (Retired)
• Manvanth Kumar
• Mohit Sharma
• Darshan Nalkande
• Jake Fraser-McGurk (OS)
• Sediqullah Atal (OS)

DC’s biggest emotional farewell was Faf du Plessis announcing his retirement after a 14-year IPL journey. Young opener Jake Fraser-McGurk may become a top target for teams seeking an aggressive batter.

Gujarat Titans (GT) — Released Players

• Mahipal Lomror
• Kulwant Khejroliya
• Dasun Shanaka (OS)
• Karim Janat (OS)
• Gerald Coetzee (OS)

GT made minimal changes but the release of Coetzee surprised many, given his value as a bowling all-rounder.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) — Released Players

• Venkatesh Iyer
• Luvnith Sisodiya
• Chetan Sakariya
• Shivam Shukla
• Andre Russell (Retired)
• Moeen Ali (OS)
• Anrich Nortje (OS)
• Spencer Johnson (OS)
• Quinton de Kock (OS)
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz (OS)

KKR executed a major squad overhaul, releasing 10 players. Russell’s retirement was the biggest emotional moment of the season. Former stars like de Kock, Nortje, and Gurbaz could ignite bidding wars.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) — Released Players

• Aryan Juyal
• Yuvraj Chaudhary
• Rajvardhan Hangargekar
• Akash Deep
• Ravi Bishnoi
• David Miller (OS)
• Shamar Joseph (OS)
• Will O’Rourke (OS)

LSG made one of the most surprising calls by releasing star spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who is expected to be among the most sought-after Indian players in the auction.

Mumbai Indians (MI) — Released Players

• Karn Sharma
• Shrijith Krishnan
• Vignesh Puthur
• Satyanarayana Raju
• Bevon Jacobs (OS)
• Lizaad Williams (OS)
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman (OS)
• Reece Topley (OS)

MI released eight players but none are expected to draw major interest, reflecting a strong core already retained.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) — Released Players

• Praveen Dubey
• Kuldeep Sen
• Aaron Hardie (OS)
• Glenn Maxwell (OS)
• Kyle Jamieson (OS)
• Josh Inglis (OS)

PBKS releases were largely expected, though Inglis’ exit stemmed from availability issues. Maxwell’s poor 2025 form made him an inevitable release.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) — Released Players

• Kunal Singh Rathore
• Akash Madhwal
• Ashok Sharma
• Kumar Kartikeya
• Wanindu Hasaranga (OS)
• Maheesh Theekshana (OS)
• Fazalhaq Farooqi (OS)

RR’s spin department took a major hit with the release of Hasaranga, Theekshana, and Kartikeya. Strengthening spin options will be their top priority in the auction.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) — Released Players

• Swastik Chikara
• Manoj Bhandage
• Mohit Rathee
• Mayank Agarwal
• Liam Livingstone (OS)
• Lungi Ngidi (OS)

RCB, last season’s champions, made minimal changes. Livingstone’s drop in reputation forced his release, though he may still find buyers.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) — Released Players

• Abhinav Manohar
• Atharva Taide
• Sachin Baby
• Simarjeet Singh
• Rahul Chahar
• Adam Zampa (OS)
• Wiaan Mulder (OS)

SRH’s releases align with their aggressive style of play. Most released players are likely to be picked up by other franchises given their utility.