IPL 2026 Retentions Live Updates: Russell, Iyer, Pathirana among big names released by franchises- more updates coming

Lucknow Super Giants have shown strong faith in Mayank Yadav, backing the young pacer despite several injuries and investing heavily in his development. The franchise is counting on him to deliver in IPL 2026.

The only overseas player released apart from David Miller is Shamar Joseph, the West Indies quick.

They have also let go of Akash Deep, who was signed for Rupees 8.25 crore, as LSG look to reshape their bowling options while building around Mayank.

Gujarat Titans have made several notable changes ahead of IPL 2026. The franchise has released overseas players Sherfane Rutherford and Dasun Shanaka as part of a squad reshuffle.

Other players let go include Mahipal Lomror, Karim Janat, Gerald Coetzee and Kulwant Khejroliya.

Delhi Capitals have made a big decision by releasing Faf du Plessis, ending the veteran South African’s stint with the franchise. The move comes as DC look to rebuild after a difficult second half of IPL 2025.

T Natarajan will remain with the team. Signed for Rupees 10.75 crore, he missed much of last season due to injuries but is now fully fit and ready for IPL 2026.

Other players let go include Jake Fraser-McGurk and Sediqullah Atal as DC reshape their squad for the new season.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have let go of key overseas players Adam Zampa and Wiaan Mulder as they look to reshuffle their squad ahead of IPL 2026.

The franchise has also released several young local talents, including Abhinav Manohar, Atharva Taide, Sachin Baby, Simarjeet Singh and Rahul Chahar, signalling a focus on experienced core and fresh options in their power-packed side.

Mohammed Shami is also part of the departures as he moved to Lucknow Super Giants.

Punjab Kings have released Glenn Maxwell, who missed most of last season due to injury, ending a difficult phase for the experienced allrounder. The franchise has also decided to move on from Josh Inglis, even though the keeper batter made some valuable contributions in 2025.

PBKS have further released Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen and Praveen Dubey as they prepare for a refreshed squad for IPL 2026.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have parted ways with Liam Livingstone after a difficult season where the English allrounder struggled for form and consistency.

RCB have also released Mayank Agarwal, Swapnil Singh Chikara, Tim Seifert, Sachin Bhandage, Lungi Ngidi, Blessing Muzarabani and Yash Rathee as they streamline their squad for the new season.

Mumbai Indians have parted ways with Lizaad Williams, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Bevon Jacobs and Reece Topley, a quartet of overseas players who weren’t regular starters.

The big boost is the retention of Will Jacks, who will now slot into the middle order alongside Sherfane Rutherford, traded in from Titans.

The surprise cuts come from the uncapped group, with MI releasing promising left-arm wrist spinner Vignesh Puthur and death-overs prospect V Satyanarayana Raju.

Chennai Super Kings have announced the biggest clear-out of the retention window, releasing 11 players as they reshape their squad for IPL 2026.

The list features four overseas names - Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Matheesha Pathirana and Sam Curran, with Curran already traded to Rajasthan Royals. CSK have also moved on from their struggling middle order of IPL 2025, letting go Andre Siddarth, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Shaikh Rasheed and Vijay Shankar.

Kolkata Knight Riders have made waves by releasing several big names ahead of IPL 2026. The high-profile departures include Andre Russell (Rupees 12 crore), Venkatesh Iyer (Rupees 23.75 crore), Quinton de Kock (Rupees 3.6 crore), Moeen Ali (Rupees 2 crore) and Anrich Nortje (Rupees 6.5 crore).

Russell ends a long and explosive stint with KKR, while Iyer’s exit marks one of the most surprising calls of the window. De Kock, Moeen Ali and Nortje were also part of the overseas core that the franchise has chosen to overhaul.

Sherfane Rutherford has completed his transfer from Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians for Rupees 2.6 crore ahead of the retention deadline. The left-handed power-hitter gives MI a strong middle-order option with finishing ability.

Shardul Thakur has completed his move from Lucknow Super Giants to Mumbai Indians for Rupees 2 crore. The experienced seamer returns to a franchise where he previously spent time as a developing bowler.

Shardul adds depth and control to MI’s pace unit and is expected to play a more defined role after a mixed season with Lucknow.

Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals have completed a player-for-player trade as Nitish Rana joins DC for Rupees 4.2 crore and Donovan Ferreira moves to RR for Rupees 1 crore.

Talks had been progressing for days and both sides have now agreed on the exchange. Rana strengthens Delhi’s batting core with his experience and calm presence while Ferreira gives Rajasthan a dynamic option in the middle order with useful keeping skills.

Arjun Tendulkar has moved from Mumbai Indians to Lucknow Super Giants for Rupees 30 lakh ahead of the retention cut-off. The son of legendary Sachin Tendulkar was part of MI’s squad for a few seasons but did not get many opportunities to play.

The left-arm seamer will hope for a fresh start with Lucknow as he looks to build consistency and secure a regular role in the IPL.

Mohammed Shami has completed his switch from Sunrisers Hyderabad to Lucknow Super Giants for Rupees 10 crore ahead of the retention deadline. The veteran pacer, who was sidelined from the Indian squad due to fitness concerns, is now looking to make a strong statement in the new season.

Shami remains one of the most trusted new-ball bowlers in the league and LSG see him as a key addition to their attack for IPL 2026.

Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals have finalised a major three-player exchange ahead of the retention list deadline. The full financial breakdown of the completed deal is now confirmed.

Ravindra Jadeja – Chennai Super Kings to Rajasthan Royals (Rupees 14 crore)
Sam Curran – Chennai Super Kings to Rajasthan Royals (Rupees 2.4 crore)
Sanju Samson – Rajasthan Royals to Chennai Super Kings (Rupees 18 crore)

This is one of the biggest exchanges of the IPL era and both teams are set to make more decisions soon.