IPL Auction 2026: Three Overseas Superstars Withdraw From Mini Auction Ahead of December 16 Event
IPL Auction 2026: Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, and Moeen Ali withdraw from the IPL mini auction. Here’s why the overseas stars pulled out and what it means for the December 16 event in Abu Dhabi.
“Three major overseas stars — Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, and Moeen Ali — have pulled out of the IPL 2026 Mini Auction.”
For the IPL 2026 Mini Auction, the buzz continues to grow and it is no wonder that the registration of over 1,300 players with the BCCI for the event in Abu Dhabi on December 16 is the reason behind it all.
The BCCI has already shared the list with the ten franchises and they will now make their shortlists for the final pool of about 400 players.
Meanwhile, the competition for spots is intense among the young players and experienced T20 specialists but three influential overseas cricketers — all of them being regulars in the IPL for a long time — have decided not to take part in the auction this year.
1. Faf du Plessis
The former captain of South Africa, Faf du Plessis, who was recently let go by the Delhi Capitals, declared on his social media that he would not be attending the IPL Mini Auction but instead would be playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) which coincides with the IPL 2026 timeframe.
IPL Career Highlights:
- Started his career in 2012 with Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Transferred among CSK, Rising Pune Supergiant, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals
- Key player in CSK’s 2018 and 2021 title victories
- Directed RCB to two playoff appearances
At the age of 41, he had a rough IPL 2025 season with only 202 runs scored in nine matches at a strike rate of 123. Faf was bought for the minimum price last year and with the chance of not being sold again, he has gone for the PSL where he last played in 2021.
2. Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell, who is an all-rounder from Australia and one of the biggest overseas players in the IPL, has also chosen to remove his name from the 2026 auction list.
He was released by Punjab Kings, who had picked him up in the last mega auction after RCB had let him go. Gradually, his form has soured over the last couple of seasons:
- 2024: 10 matches with only 52 runs
- 2025: before being sidelined by a finger injury, only 47 runs in 7 matches
- Halfway through IPL 2025, he handed over the replaceable position to Mitch Owen, who is still with PBKS.
Maxwell, who kick-started his IPL journey with Delhi in 2012, achieved the 2013 IPL title with Mumbai Indians and had a spectacular season with Punjab in 2014. However, he has not been able to deliver that quality consistently lately.
His April-May plans are still unclear.
3. Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali, the England all-rounder and a two-time IPL champion with CSK, has also chosen not to participate in the mini auction and will instead go to the IPL 2026.
IPL Career Snapshot:
- Worn the RCB, CSK, and KKR jerseys
- Was an important player for CSK from 2021 to 2024 with his batting and bowling
- In IPL 2025, KKR picked him but only 5 runs and 6 wickets were his season stats
- Moeen leaves CSK and is fondly remembered for hitting hard in the middle order and being a dependable off-spinner.
