Predicting one major player release from each team ahead of IPL 2026 retention deadline ft. Venkatesh Iyer 

The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises are all currently deliberating their list of retained and released players ahead of the deadline set for Saturday, November 15. The teams will have to be mindful of their purse and remaining slots, which can be put to use during the upcoming IPL 2026 mini auction, reportedly set to be held next month.

Since it is not a mega auction, franchises have the provision of retaining as many players as they wish, and can release as many players as they feel like. They will continue to have a salary cap of INR 120 crore, and a maximum squad size of 28 players, which can include no more than eight overseas players.

On that note, let us predict one major player release from each team ahead of the IPL 2026 retention deadline.

#1 Mumbai Indians - Deepak Chahar

The five-time champions had to go all out for a new-ball Indian bowler, and fought tooth and nail to secure Deepak Chahar's services for INR 9.25 crore. It marked their most expensive Indian acquisition at the 2025 mega auction, and though the pacer had a decent first season for his new franchise, the return on investment is perhaps a tad questionable.

He picked up 11 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 34.18 and an economy of 9.17. There is always the option of roping him in for a cheaper price, or moving on to an alternate option, given his injury record.

#2 Chennai Super Kings - Rachin Ravindra

A move that promised a lot and delivered little was CSK's shrewd buy on two occasions, to get Rachin Ravindra in their setup. However, the New Zealand international has not been able to justify the franchise's backing, and has ended up being an inconsistent entity over the last couple of seasons.

While the southpaw has starred in international cricket, the same success has not followed him in the IPL. It is fair to say that he had a fair run in the CSK opener, but after only 413 runs in 18 innings at an average of 24.29, the franchise may not have an option but to release him. The argument to part ways with him only grows stronger considering CSK have a new-look top-order almost ready to be unleashed.

#3 Delhi Capitals - Mitchell Starc

DC had won the race for the veteran Australian in a deal worth INR 11.75 crore, and it seemed like a bargain in the beginning. Starc began the season with eight wickets in his first two matches, but went on to pick only six wickets in his next nine matches, ending wicketless in four of those games.

Considering that Starc has already announced his retirement from T20Is and has not played a single T20 since the IPL 2025 season, DC has an opportunity to bolster their purse and look for more long-term options.

#4 Sunrisers Hyderabad - Mohammad Shami

SRH had to go all-out for an Indian seamer at the mega auction after releasing Bhuvneshwar Kumar. After a massive bidding war, they were able to rope in Mohammad Shami, arguably the most prolific seamer in the previous cycle. However, the veteran seamer could not justify the massive INR 10 crore tag, and the fact that he was SRH's second-most-expensive acquisition at the auction.

Shami's nightmare season included only nine appearances, where he took six wickets with an average of 56.17 and an economy rate of 11.23. The pacer lacked rhythm for his new franchise, and although he has looked in sublime touch in red-ball cricket of late, SRH might be better off raising those INR 10 crores back into their purse and seeking other compatible options.

#5 Punjab Kings - Glenn Maxwell

The Australian all-rounder's third stint with the Punjab franchise did not go according to plan as he could not replicate his heroics from the previous cycle. In IPL 2025, after being roped in for INR 4.2 crore, Maxwell only scored 48 runs in seven matches at an average of 8, before being ruled out due to injury.

Having recently turned 37 years old, Maxwell still has a reputation by his side, but does not have the form or the performances to warrant his case. With PBKS already boasting a plethora of all-rounders and impact hitters, they could very well use the overseas slot on another candidate.

#6 Kolkata Knight Riders - Venkatesh Iyer

The three-time winners have been invested in Venkatesh Iyer since his debut in the second half of the 2021 IPL campaign, but were forced to release him after their title win in 2024. However, KKR made an audacious bid of INR 23.75 crore despite a crippling budget to bring him back, but the move has faltered spectacularly.

KKR have made some major changes to their backroom setup in the off-season after a forgettable campaign under Ajinkya Rahane. If the franchise hopes for any sort of rebuild, which they need in several departments, it cannot be done without the INR 23.75 crore, currently tied up with Venkatesh Iyer.

KKR always have the option of bringing him back for a cheaper price, while using the balancing amount to repair their weaknesses from the previous season.

#7 Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Liam Livingstone

It won't be surprising if the defending champions end up with the least number of releases and the least purse for the action. Following a near perfect IPL 2025, ending with silverware, the franchise hardly has the need to tweak anything from a well-assembled and well-honed squad that already covers almost all of the bases.

However, if there is a so-called weak link in the setup, it has to be the England all-rounder Liam Livingstone. Despite a perfect fit on paper with RCB's ideology and team composition, he never clicked and seemed to lag behind the rest of the side.

Last season, he scored only 112 runs in 10 matches at an average of 16, and was not particularly effective with the ball either.

#8 Lucknow Super Giants - Mayank Yadav

LSG had been patient with the gem that they unearthed, but after a minimal, if not non-existent return from their INR 11 crore investment, it might be time to part ways. The franchise made Mayank Yadav one of their core retentions ahead of the mega auction, but the speedster could only record two appearances in the IPL 2025 auction amid injuries.

After two poor campaigns back-to-back, LSG cannot afford another dismal season, which is why they need a strong budget to plug the obvious holes in their setup. An additional 11 crores in their purse could go a long way to help LSG polish their team to mount a strong challenge for IPL 2026.

#9 Gujarat Titans - Rahul Tewatia

GT were among the few franchises that were able to maximise the most out of the mega auction. Following a relatively successful campaign with their new core, the former champions are not on the lookout for a major shake-up, but there is always scope for improvement.

Outside of the obvious star retentions that take up the bulk of the budget, Rahul Tewatia holds INR 4 crore, more than the likes of Washington Sundar, Sai Kishore, and Sherfan Rutherford, who made far more contributions in IPL 2025.

The pinch hitter had found immediate success with the franchise, but his returns have diminished season. Although a hard player to be judged by numbers, an average of 12.38 never makes for a good look, and he has not bowled a single over in the last two seasons as well.

#10 Rajasthan Royals - Maheesh Theekshana

Despite ranked 16th in the ICC rankings for T20I bowlers, RR may not have a choice but to release Maheesh Theekshana ahead of the mega auction. With the franchise already having an overseas spinner in Wanindu Hasaranga, and Ravindra Jadeja's arrival looking imminent, the Sri Lankan mystery spinner may well be the sacrificed player in the end.

He had decent numbers from the previous season, where he took 11 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 22.91 and an economy of 9.76. However, it is not spectacular enough to warrant a retention, especially over someone like Wanindu Hasaranga, who is a bona fide wicket-taker, and a much better complementing option on paper with Jadeja.