IPL 2026: Five Superstars Facing the Axe Before Retention Deadline

The countdown to IPL 2026 retention has begun, and with November 15 set as the deadline for teams to submit their final lists, several marquee players find themselves walking a tightrope between retention and release. Unlike the mega auction that preceded IPL 2025, this mini-auction format allows franchises to retain most of their squads while making surgical changes to optimize team balance and purse allocation.

As IPL 2026 approaches, the retention dynamics have shifted dramatically. Teams are no longer looking at wholesale changes but rather strategic releases that can free up significant auction money while addressing specific squad deficiencies. The mini-auction format means that every release decision carries extra weight, as teams have limited opportunities to rebuild their core.

1. Sanju Samson: The Biggest Potential Release in IPL 2026

The most shocking potential release ahead of IPL 2026 could be Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals. Despite being the franchise’s leading run-scorer with 4,219 runs in 155 T20 matches and captaining the side 67 times—the most in RR history—Samson’s relationship with the franchise has reportedly soured.

Multiple coaching staff changes at Rajasthan Royals have created an environment of uncertainty that has affected Samson’s commitment to the franchise. His injury-plagued IPL 2025 campaign, where he managed only 9 appearances out of 14 matches, further complicated matters. The wicket-keeper batsman’s desire to move to a franchise that can offer him better stability and a clearer long-term vision has been well-documented.

Chennai Super Kings have emerged as the frontrunners to acquire Samson’s services, especially as they search for MS Dhoni’s long-term successor. The franchise’s interest in the explosive keeper-batsman isn’t new, and with CSK’s need for a reliable middle-order anchor who can also provide leadership options, Samson fits their requirements perfectly.

If RR decides to release Samson ahead of IPL 2026, it would mark the end of an era. The Kerala wicket-keeper first joined RR in 2013, moved to Delhi Capitals for two seasons (2016-17), before returning to RR and establishing himself as their cornerstone player.

2. Mohammed Shami: SRH’s Expensive Gamble Gone Wrong

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s ₹10 crore investment in Mohammed Shami for IPL 2025 has backfired spectacularly, making him a prime candidate for release before IPL 2026. The experienced pacer’s underwhelming performance—just 6 wickets in 9 matches with an alarming economy rate of 11.23—has forced SRH to reconsider their strategy.

At 35, Shami’s pace has noticeably declined, and his once-feared yorkers have largely disappeared from his arsenal. The fitness concerns that have plagued him throughout his career continue to be a limiting factor, forcing SRH to rely heavily on younger bowlers like Ehsan Malinga and Simarjeet Singh during crucial phases of matches.

The strategic logic behind potentially releasing Shami is compelling for SRH. Freeing up ₹10 crore from their auction purse would provide substantial firepower to target younger, more dynamic bowling options in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Given Shami’s current form trajectory, SRH might even be able to re-acquire him at a significantly reduced price if they still value his experience.

3. Liam Livingstone: RCB’s Costly Experiment

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s ₹8.75 crore gamble on Liam Livingstone has failed to deliver the expected returns, making the English all-rounder a prime candidate for release ahead of IPL 2026. Despite RCB’s maiden IPL title triumph in 2025, Livingstone’s individual contribution was minimal and well below expectations.

Livingstone’s struggles weren’t limited to batting, where his average of 16 across 10 matches was particularly disappointing for a player of his reputation. His bowling contributions were equally underwhelming, managing just two wickets in five innings when RCB needed him to provide the fifth bowling option.

The England all-rounder’s lackluster approach and apparent disconnect with the team’s requirements have made him expendable. Releasing Livingstone would free up significant auction funds for RCB to pursue more reliable all-round options like Cameron Green, who missed the previous auction due to injury but is expected to be a hot property in IPL 2026.

4. Yuzvendra Chahal: PBKS’s Record Purchase Under Scrutiny

Punjab Kings’ record ₹18 crore investment in Yuzvendra Chahal—making him the highest-paid spinner in IPL history—is facing serious scrutiny ahead of IPL 2026. While Chahal remains one of the most successful bowlers in IPL history with the most wickets, his hefty price tag has created unrealistic expectations that have been difficult to meet.

The leg-spinner’s performance in IPL 2025, while statistically decent, hasn’t justified the enormous financial outlay. PBKS’s struggle to qualify for the playoffs despite having cricket’s most expensive spinner has raised questions about the wisdom of allocating such a significant portion of their budget to a single player.

PBKS faces a dilemma: retain Chahal and continue with the highest spin-bowling investment in IPL history, or release him and redistribute that ₹18 crore across multiple positions to create better team balance. The franchise’s performance analytics suggest that spreading the wealth might yield better overall team results.

5. Avesh Khan: LSG’s Injury-Prone Investment

Lucknow Super Giants’ struggles with pace bowling depth have been exemplified by Avesh Khan’s recurring injury problems. The right-arm pacer’s inability to maintain fitness throughout IPL seasons has made him a liability despite his undoubted talent when available.

LSG’s investment in Avesh Khan was predicated on his ability to provide consistent pace bowling options throughout the tournament. However, his injury-prone nature has forced the franchise to constantly juggle their bowling combinations and over-rely on backup options who often lack the requisite experience.

The franchise’s strategy for IPL 2026 appears to be moving toward more reliable, durable pace options. Releasing Avesh Khan would allow LSG to target overseas pacers or younger Indian bowlers who can provide better availability guarantees throughout the tournament.

Strategic Implications for IPL 2026 Mini-Auction

The potential release of these five marquee players would significantly impact the IPL 2026 mini-auction dynamics. With players of this caliber entering the auction pool, teams with substantial purse remaining could make aggressive moves to acquire proven performers at potentially reduced valuations.

The mini-auction format means that these players will be available to all franchises, including their current teams if they choose to bid. The Right to Match (RTM) mechanism allows teams to re-acquire released players by matching the highest bid, adding another layer of complexity to the proceedings.

Franchise Strategies and Budget Considerations

The decision to release high-profile players reflects evolving franchise strategies in the IPL 2026 landscape. Teams are increasingly prioritizing squad balance over individual star power, recognizing that tournament success requires depth across all departments rather than heavy investment in a few marquee names.

Chennai Super Kings, with their additional ₹9.75 crore from R Ashwin’s retirement, have positioned themselves as potential aggressors in the auction for quality players. Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans, with their relatively conservative retention strategies, also possess the financial flexibility to make significant moves.

The auction dynamics for IPL 2026 will be particularly interesting because teams have learned from the mega auction experience and are now more strategic about balancing star power with role-specific requirements.

A New Era of Strategic Team Building

The potential releases ahead of IPL 2026 represent a shift in how franchises approach team building. The move from emotional attachments and star value toward data-driven, performance-based decisions signals the maturation of the IPL ecosystem.

These five players—Samson, Shami, Livingstone, Chahal, and Avesh Khan—represent different categories of potential releases: relationship breakdowns, declining performance, failed investments, budget reallocation, and reliability concerns. How franchises handle these decisions will significantly impact their prospects for IPL 2026 and beyond.

The November 15 retention deadline will reveal which franchises have the courage to make difficult decisions and which prefer to maintain status quo. With the mini-auction scheduled for December 13-15, 2025, the stage is set for one of the most strategically significant auctions in recent IPL history.

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