Unlike last year’s mega auction, the 2026 event will be a mini auction, held over one day. However, the auction is expected to be intense and strategically important as teams reshape their squads ahead of the new season.
IPL franchises must complete retentions and releases by November 15
Prior to the auction, franchises must submit the list of players they wish to retain or release from their 2025 squads. The deadline for this process is November 15 at 3:00 PM IST.
Once the retentions are confirmed, the BCCI will send franchises a registered player pool. Teams must then shortlist players from that list, after which the IPL Governing Council will finalize the official auction pool. This multi-step process ensures that the final list only includes players actively being pursued by teams.
The trading window will remain active until a week before the IPL 2026 auction
The IPL trading window, which opened immediately after the end of the 2025 season, will remain active until a week before the auction. It will then reopen after the auction and continue until a month before the 2026 IPL season begins.
However, one important rule remains unchanged: teams are not allowed to trade players they acquired at the 2026 auction.
Four transactions have already been completed as teams begin reshaping squads
With the 2026 season approaching, teams are already busy reshuffling their rosters. To date, four confirmed transactions involving three franchises have been completed.
Five-time champion Mumbai Indians (MI) have been the busiest side to date, completing two all-cash deals:
- Shardul Thakur acquired from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
- Sherfane Rutherford acquired from Gujarat Titans (GT)
Also READ: Suresh Raina picks two star players Mumbai Indians should keep ahead of IPL 2026
Both players bring versatility and depth to MI, with Thakur offering all-round skills at India level and Rutherford strengthening the middle order with his power-hitting.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) was acquired in a separate transaction Arjun Tendulkar from MI at its base price. The young left-arm pacer will look for more opportunities to showcase his development.
These early transactions indicate that teams are aggressively preparing for the mini-auction, aiming to fill specific roles well before the hammer falls in Abu Dhabi.
Also READ: IPL 2026 – Aaron Finch calls players should retain Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of mini-auction
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