IPL 2026: The Big Shake-Up - Star Players Released Ahead of Auction

IPL 2026: The Big Shake-Up - Star Players Released Ahead of Auction

IPL teams have made some shocking and huge decisions ahead of the 2026 auction, letting go of several famous international and Indian cricketers. This means the upcoming auction will be packed with big-name players for all ten teams to bid on.

1. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Say Goodbye to Legends

In one of the biggest moves, KKR has released two of its most famous players:

• Andre Russell: The powerful West Indies all-rounder, who has been with the team since 2014, has been let go, marking the end of a long and successful partnership.

• Venkatesh Iyer: The Indian all-rounder, who was KKR's most expensive player last season, has also been released after a couple of inconsistent seasons.

By releasing these stars, KKR has cleared up a huge amount of money (a large "purse") to completely rebuild their team at the auction.

2. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Make Tough Choices

CSK have opted for a major change by releasing several key overseas stars:

• Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra: Both New Zealand openers have been released after struggling to find consistent form in the last season.

• Other big changes: CSK also traded away fan-favorite Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to the Rajasthan Royals in a deal that brought Indian star Sanju Samson to Chennai.

3. Punjab Kings (PBKS) Let Go of Maxwell

Punjab Kings have also made a bold call by releasing a huge international name:

• Glenn Maxwell: The Australian all-rounder, known for his aggressive batting, has been released after a poor season where he struggled with form and injuries.

4. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Release Liam Livingstone

The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, have released a major English all-rounder:

• Liam Livingstone: Despite his potential as a multi-skilled player, Livingstone was let go after an underwhelming 2025 season where his performance did not match his high price tag.

5. Delhi Capitals (DC) Clear Space

Delhi Capitals have parted ways with a mix of experienced and young overseas talent:

• Faf du Plessis: The veteran South African batsman was released as the team looks to restructure its batting order.

• Jake Fraser-McGurk: The young Australian player, known for his fast scoring, has also been released.

These major releases set the stage for a dramatic and exciting auction as teams seek to acquire these match-winning players and complete their squads for the IPL 2026 season.