NEW DELHI: The IPL 2026 retention and release window saw franchises making some bold decisions. Teams officially announced their departures, drawing attention as several big names were let go. Many players struggled to deliver consistent performances last season, prompting teams to free up space for new talent.

Also READ: Full list of players retained and released by all teams - how the squads stack up ahead of the auction

Here are the top five releases ahead of IPL 2026:

1. Venkatesh Iyer – KKR (23.75 crore)

Bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping 23.75 crore in IPL 2025, Venkatesh Iyer struggled to live up to expectations. The batter managed just 142 runs across the season at an average of 20. His inconsistency with the bat forced KKR to make the tough call and release him ahead of IPL 2026.

2. Matheesha Pathirana – CSK (13 crore)

Pathirana brought pace and yorkers to Chennai Super Kings over the last couple of seasons. However, his poor economy and tendency to leak runs at key moments made the franchise rethink their plans. CSK decided to release him, looking to invest in bowlers who can deliver tighter spells in pressure situations.

3. Andre Russell – KKR (12 crore)

One of the most stunning releases, Andre Russell has been an iconic figure in IPL since joining KKR in 2014. Known for explosive hitting and handy bowling, he amassed over 2,600 runs with a strike rate of 174 and 123 wickets in IPL. Despite his brilliance, KKR decided to part ways, signalling a major shift in their strategy.

4. Ravi Bishnoi – LSG (11 crore)

LSG released 25-year-old leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi after a below-par season. In IPL 2025, Bishnoi took only 9 wickets at an average of 44. The team may have found a replacement in Digvesh Rathi, hoping for more consistency and control in the spin department, which led to this unexpected decision.

5. Liam Livingstone – RCB (8.75 crore)

The release of Liam Livingstone was widely anticipated. Known for his power-hitting and fielding efforts, Livingstone struggled with the bat in IPL 2025, scoring just 112 runs in 10 matches at an average of 22. RCB decided to let him go, giving the franchise room to explore new options in the middle order.