IPL 2026: Gill, Rohit, Kohli, Dhoni among 173 players retained by franchises at close of trade window (ld)

Mumbai, Nov 15 – IPL 2026 is getting ready and the 10 teams have finished locking in their rosters. Over 170 players, including 49 from overseas, have been kept on by their clubs, while a handful of high‑profile names were let go as the retention window closed.

Key moves in the retention phase

The biggest trade of the week saw Rajasthan Royals’ wicket‑keeper‑batsman and captain Sanju Samson headed to Chennai Super Kings. In exchange, Chennai sent all‑rounder Ravindra Jadeja and England’s Sam Curran to the Royals. The switch is set to add fresh power to CSK’s lineup.

Lucknow Super Giants also made headlines by snapping up 2023 ODI World Cup hero Mohammed Shami. Other franchises have kept their core line‑ups intact: Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings all retained 20‑plus players, while Kolkata Knight Riders only secured 12, the fewest of the group.

Numbers that matter

A total of 173 players—49 overseas—have been locked in. The combined purse available at the auction totals ₹237.55 crore for 77 player slots. Each team can field a maximum of 25 players, giving clubs flexibility to add fresh talent at the final stage.

Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans each kept 20 players. Punjab Kings led the way with 21 retained, followed by the Delhi Capitals and the Karnataka‑based Sunrisers Hyderabad who both froze 17 players.

Kolkata Knight Riders, who have the most money at the auction, will auction up to 13 slots with ₹64.3 crore in hand and six overseas positions open. Chennai Super Kings come next with ₹43.4 crore to fill nine slots.

Auction set for December

The IPL auction will take place on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Teams will now use their budgets to chase the best talent left on the market, with a focus on securing key overseas spots and strengthening weak areas from the previous season.

Teams keep the best of both worlds

While the retention lists feature all‑time stars, they also show a mix of experience and young hope:

• Chennai Super Kings hold a solid core of 16 players, including MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Sanju Samson, with a budget still open for eight spots.
• Delhi Capitals have grabbed a strong 17‑player squad that includes KL Rahul, Karun Nair, and T.Natarajan, keeping a modest reserve for final picks.
• Gujarat Titans showcased depth with 20 names, such as Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, and Jos Buttler, keeping a small amount of cash left.
• Mumbai Indians, known for high‑profile acquisitions, saved nearly all their money, with a roster of 20, including Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah.
• Punjab Kings display a mix of talent and overseas powerhouses like Marcus Stoinis and Xavier Bartlett, keeping a pocket of funds on hand.

What’s next

With all teams locking in the majority of their squads, the next phase of the IPL 2026 build is the auction. Fans can expect to see clubs target standout overseas players and any local stars who haven’t yet found a team. The ten franchises have a broad budget range and a clear strategy: reinforce the attack, shore up the bowling, and balance the mix between experience, youth, and overseas depth.

For the coming weeks, follow the auction for fresh twists in IPL 2026, as clubs complete their dream squads and chase the big prize in the most watched cricket league in the world.

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