IPL 2026 Retentions: Player trades, rules, deadline and live streaming details - all you need to know

IPL franchises are all set to confirm their list of retained players ahead of the mini-auction. In the build-up to retention day, there has been plenty of chatter around star players who should be retained and released. There have also been some interesting trades that have taken place.

Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur has been traded from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to Mumbai Indians (MI). The seasoned cricketer, who joined LSG as an injury replacement for IPL 2025, has been traded to MI for his player fee of ₹2 crore. West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford has also been traded from Gujarat Titans (GT) to MI for ₹2.6 crore.

As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, keeper-batter Sanju Samson has been traded to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) from Rajasthan Royals (RR) in exchange for all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Also, Arjun Tendulkar has been traded to LSG from MI for ₹30 lakh.

Meanwhile, seasoned Indian pacer Mohammad Shami is likely to be traded to LSG from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). As per reports, the 35-year-old fast bowler is set to move to the Lucknow franchise in an all-cash deal worth ₹10 crore.

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What is the deadline for IPL 2026 retentions?

All 10 franchises have to confirm their retentions ahead of the IPL 2026 auction by Saturday, November 15. The official list will start being released around 5 PM IST.

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What are the IPL 2026 retention rules?

Since the upcoming auction will be a mini-auction, franchises have been allowed to retain as many players as they want. The only catch here is that the squad size of a team cannot exceed the prescribed limit of 25 players. Meanwhile, the total purse for each franchise for IPL 2026 is likely to be around ₹120 crore.

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Where to watch live streaming of IPL 2026 retentions?

The live telecast of IPL 2026 retentions will be available on Star Sports network channels - Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 (Hindi), Star Sports 2 (Tamil), Star Sports 2 (Telugu) and Star Sports 2 (Malayalam). Similarly, fans can follow the live streaming on the JioHotstar app as well as the website. Live coverage of IPL 2026 retentions will begin at 5:00 PM IST.

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Has the date for IPL 2026 auction been confirmed?

The date for IPL 2026 mini auction is yet to be officially confirmed. However, according to a recent report in ESPNcricinfo, the auction is likely to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16. Incidentally, the 2024 auction was held in Dubai, while the two-day mega-auction for 2025 took place in Jeddah in November 2024.

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Key changes in support staff ahead of IPL 2026

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have named former New Zealand captain Tim Southee as their bowling coach for the IPL 2026 season. Southee has served as a bowling consultant for England's Test team. Earlier, KKR had named Abhishek Nayar as their new head coach, while former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson was also added as an assistant coach.

LSG have appointed former Australian all-rounder and experienced coach Tom Moody as their global director of cricket. Apart from the Lucknow franchise in the IPL, Moody will also be in charge of Durban's Super Giants in SA20, and their franchise in the Hundred.

Meanwhile, Justin Langer has been retained as head coach despite LSG’s poor performance in IPL 2025, while Kiwi legend Kane Williamson has been appointed as strategic advisor.