IPL 2026 Retention Highlights: CSK Release Pathirana, KKR Let Go of Andre Russell, RCB Drop Liam Livingstone
The IPL 2026 retention deadline has sparked major shake-ups across franchises as several big names, including Matheesha Pathirana, Andre Russell and Liam Livingstone, were released ahead of the December mini auction.
IPL 2026 retention deadline saw major stars like Pathirana, Andre Russell and Livingstone released by their teams.
The retention phase of IPL 2026 was finished on 15th November, and there were big surprises as teams revamped their rosters for the new season. Teams took bold steps with this cycle being more flexible—letting go of several senior players but keeping their young talents. The final rosters are now with BCCI, and additional trading opportunity is there for the teams before the auction in December.
The most important factors in the retention decision are presented below.
Major IPL 2026 Releases: Big Names Shown the Door
Several high-profile cricketers were released this year, signalling a shift in team strategies.
- CSK parted ways with star pacer Matheesha Pathirana, along with Rahul Tripathi, Rachin Ravindra, Vijay Shankar and others.
- KKR made the biggest headlines by releasing longtime match-winner Andre Russell. The franchise also offloaded Quinton de Kock, Venkatesh Iyer, Moeen Ali and Anrich Nortje.
- RCB moved on from power-hitter Liam Livingstone, pacer Lungi Ngidi and opener Mayank Agarwal.
- MI, RR, LSG, GT, PBKS, DC and SRH also released several key players as they prepare to rebuild ahead of the 2026 season.
IPL 2026: Full List of Players Released by Each Team
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Rahul Tripathi, Vansh Bedi, Andre Siddarth, Rachin Ravindra, Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Shaik Rasheed, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Matheesha Pathirana
Delhi Capitals (DC)
Faf du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sediqullah Atal, Manvanth Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Darshan Nalkande
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Venkatesh Iyer, Anrich Nortje, Quinton de Kock, Spencer Johnson, Moeen Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Andre Russell, Luvnith Sisodia, Chetan Sakariya
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Satyanarayana Raju, Reece Topley, KL Shrijith, Karn Sharma, Bevon Jacobs, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Lizaad Williams, Vignesh Puthur
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Wanindu Hasaranga, Mahesh Theekshana, Kunal Singh Rathore, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Akash Madhwal, Ashok Sharma, Kumar Kartikeya
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Akash Deep, Ravi Bishnoi, Aryan Juyal, David Miller, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Shamar Joseph
Gujarat Titans (GT)
Gerald Coetzee, Karim Janat, Mahipal Lomror, Kulwant Khejroliya, Dasun Shanaka
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Praveen Dubey, Kuldeep Sen
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Mayank Agarwal, Swastik Chhikara, Tim Seifert, Liam Livingstone, Lungi Ngidi, Blessing Muzarabani, Mohit Rathee, Manoj Bhandage
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Abhinav Manohar, Atharva Taide, Sachin Baby, Wiaan Mulder, Simarjeet Singh, Rahul Chahar, Adam Zampa
