NEW DELHI: The IPL 2026 retentions are done and dusted, with all 10 franchises submitting their lists of retained and released players ahead of the mini-auction. Across the 10 teams, 173 players have been retained, including 49 overseas stars. The franchises will enter the mini-auction with a combined purse of Rs 237.55 crore to fill 77 remaining slots.
The IPL 2026 mini-auction is scheduled for 16 December at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. With nearly a month to go, fans are curious whether teams can still make player trades before the event.
Here's how the IPL trading window actually works
The IPL trade window for any season opens as soon as the previous edition ends. For instance, the window for IPL 2026 began on June 4 - the day after IPL 2025 concluded.
As per IPL regulations, the trading period stays open until one week before the mini-auction. That means teams are free to negotiate and complete player trades up to December 9, allowing franchises to make last-minute adjustments to their squads.
The window then shuts from December 10 to 16, during which no trades can take place. It reopens immediately after the auction and stays active until one month before the start of IPL 2026. However, players bought at the mini-auction cannot be traded in this post-auction phase.
IPL 2026 Retentions
With the squad limit capped at 25 players, Punjab Kings have chosen to retain 21 cricketers - the highest among all 10 franchises. Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans follow closely, keeping 20 players each.
In terms of auction capital, Kolkata Knight Riders will enter the mini-auction with the biggest purse of Rs 64.3 crore, giving them room to fill up to 13 slots, including six overseas positions. Chennai Super Kings have the second-largest budget of Rs 43.4 crore, with nine slots available to complete their squad.
