The IPL 2026 mini-auction is almost here, and the buzz around trades, IPL retentions, and player targets has reached fever pitch. With the pre-auction trade window already open, teams are busy reshuffling their squads, looking for the perfect mix of experienced stars and fresh talent. Following the now-confirmed blockbuster involving Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja (with Sam Curran also in the swap), the lead-up to this auction promises both drama and high-stakes decisions. Here’s your complete guide to the IPL 2026 mini-auction – dates, rules, trade window details, team-wise targets, and the big names expected to spark bidding wars.
After a landmark 2025 season, teams are reshaping squads through the trade window before the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The emphasis this cycle: surgical fixes over full rebuilds—especially Indian cores, an anchor or finisher in the middle order, and multi-skill overseas all-rounders.
IPL Auction 2026 Time and Date (Summary)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Auction Dates | December 15–16, 2025 (likely window) |
| Auction Time | 3:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Abu Dhabi, UAE (strongly favoured) — Oman & Qatar as backup |
| Retention Deadline | November 15, 2025 |
| Purse | ₹151 crore per team |
| New Player Fee | ₹7.5 lakh per match (separate from auction price) |
| Streaming | Star Sports, JioCinema, and official IPL YouTube |
The IPL 2026 mini-auction is now expected to be held in Abu Dhabi, after BCCI evaluated multiple overseas venues due to domestic scheduling congestion. The UAE has emerged as the preferred choice, continuing IPL’s recent trend of overseas auctions. With marquee all-rounders like Cameron Green and in-demand pacers set for bidding wars, franchises are preparing for intense auction dynamics.
Read more: IPL 2026 Auction Players List: All Teams
IPL 2026 Auction & Windows (What to Expect)
| Phase | What happens | Status / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-auction trade window | Player swaps & all-cash deals to rebalance squads | Open now and active until early December |
| Mini-auction | Teams fill key gaps left after trades | December 15–16, 2025 (likely) — overseas venue (Abu Dhabi leading) |
| Post-auction trade window | Final tune-ups after auction | Reopens after auction until ~1 month before IPL 2026 |
Venue Update: The IPL 2026 mini-auction is set to be staged outside India, with Abu Dhabi now emerging as the frontrunner, after the BCCI identified the 15–16 December window.
Retention Rules & Purse (Mini-Auction 2026)
- Retention Deadline: November 15, 2025 (officially)
- Teams may retain up to 6 players – with usual limits of 4 capped Indians, 2 overseas, and 2 uncapped players optional.
- Auction purse: ₹151 crore per team (increased from ₹120 crore in 2025)
- New payment model: Auction price + match fee of ₹7.5 lakh per game (as per new BCCI structure).
Read more: IPL 2026 Retention Players List
Teams are expected to keep strong cores, release under-utilized players, and target specific roles for upgrades during the auction.
Names like Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Devon Conway, and Rahul Tripathi are among those being discussed as potential releases ahead of the November 15 deadline.
Mini-Auction Cheat Sheet (Updated)
| Item | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Purse | ₹151 crore per team |
| Retentions | Up to 6 |
| Date | December 15–16, 2025 |
| Venue | Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Telecast/Streaming | Star Sports, JioCinema, IPL YouTube |
IPL Team Wishlist
Note: Team priorities and trade targets remain fluid until official BCCI confirmation. Final auction venue and date will be announced by mid-November 2025.
What’s New in IPL 2026 Mini-Auction Rules
- Right to Match (RTM): Teams can match the final bid once before RTM is applied.
- Salary cap: ₹151 crore per franchise.
- Two-part player pay: Auction price + ₹7.5 lakh per match fee.
- Trade flexibility: Cash + player swaps allowed until early December 2025.
Confirmed Updates & Market Buzz
- R. Ashwin – retired from IPL, giving CSK a ₹9.75 crore purse boost.
- Samson–Jadeja–Sam Curran Trade (CONFIRMED) –
Sanju Samson → CSK | Ravindra Jadeja → RR | Sam Curran → RR
BCCI’s standard 48-hour formalisation is in motion; ECB NOC applies for Curran. - Ishan Kishan – MI interested in a reunion; KKR monitoring closely.
- Cameron Green – Fully fit; expected to trigger a bidding tussle among CSK, GT, SRH, and MI.
- Wanindu Hasaranga & Maheesh Theekshana – Release discussions underway; Sangakkara’s RR return could impact decisions.
- T Natarajan, David Miller, and Mayank Yadav – Franchises uncertain on retention strategy.
- Devdutt Padikkal → Sunrisers Hyderabad – Likely all-cash trade from RR.
- Arshdeep Singh → Mumbai Indians – MI pushing strongly for a left-arm pace upgrade.
- Shivam Dube → Royal Challengers Bangalore – RCB evaluating a return move for the all-rounder.
- Venkatesh Iyer – Interest from RCB and SRH.
Team-Wise Targets (What each side is shopping for)
| Team | What they’re looking for | Names frequently linked (trade or auction targets) |
|---|---|---|
| CSK | Overseas all-rounders & finishers; pace depth; WK succession planning | Mitchell Owen, Cameron Green, Donovan Ferreira, Sanju Samson (acquired), Mark Wood, Gerald Coetzee, William O’Rourke |
| RR | Bowling reboot; wicket-taking depth | T Natarajan, Mohammed Shami, Cameron Green, Alzarri Joseph, Jason Behrendorff, Tanveer Sangha |
| KKR | Indian WK-bat, top-order punch, seam experience | Alex Carey, Jamie Smith, Cameron Green, Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, Ben Stokes, Mohammed Shami |
| LSG | Overseas pace (injury insurance); death-overs reliability | Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jayden Seales, Gerald Coetzee |
| SRH | Middle-order anchor to complement powerplay aggression; WK cover | Cameron Green, Rilee Rossouw, Michael Bracewell, K.S. Bharat |
| DC | A firing opener; add variety with a leggie/pacer | Mayank Agarwal, Daniel Sams, Finn Allen, Adil Rashid, Kyle Jamieson |
| MI | Spin depth + utility all-rounders | Tabraiz Shamsi, Mohammad Nabi, Krishnappa Gowtham, Michael Bracewell, Rushil Ugarkar |
| GT | Middle-order stability behind a strong top three | Ben Duckett, Rassie van der Dussen, Cameron Green, Ravi Smaran, Tushar Raheja |
| RCB | Power-hitter replacement slot; seam-all-rounder | Shardul Thakur, Mark Wood, Jhye Richardson, Ben McDermott |
| PBKS | WK-bat finisher; spin-dominant hitters; backup pace | Steve Smith, Tom Curran, Nandre Burger, Tim Seifert, Gulbadin Naib |
Like to know? IPL 2026 Trade Players List
Uncapped (and under-the-radar) names to watch
| Player | Current team | Why teams are circling |
|---|---|---|
| Ashutosh Sharma | DC | Finisher with elite strike-rate; could solve PBKS lower-order tempo |
| Robin Minz | MI | CSK-style long-term WK project; develop into middle-order power |
| Manoj Bhandage | RCB | Impact domestic all-rounder; fits LSG’s middle-order + 6th bowler need |
Read more: – IPL 2026 Released Players List
Squads won’t be torn down—they’ll be tuned. The IPL 2026 mini-auction, now tracking toward an Abu Dhabi venue, will test teams’ adaptability, balance, and foresight as the countdown to December 15 continues.
