IPL 2026 Retention: Two Teams Reset, Two Gear Up Big
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are going back to the drawing board ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 auction. KKR released several high-profile players, including Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer, freeing up a purse of around ₹ 64.3 crore for the auction. SRH also trimmed their list considerably, signalling a rebuild phase rather than a tweak.
The Overhaulers
On the other side, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are preparing for major transformations. CSK has freed up substantial funds and appears ready to hunt in the auction for fresh talent. RR, meanwhile, has opted for sweeping changes too, aiming for a full-scale overhaul rather than incremental upgrades.
Strategic Implications
The retention moves show contrasting philosophies. KKR and SRH seem to believe that past structures failed and are starting anew. CSK and RR believe they can still contend but need a different core or structure to compete. With the auction scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, the freed-up purses and slots will shape how aggressive teams can be.
What to Watch
- Which players the reset teams pick to rebuild foundation.
- Which marquee names the gearing-up teams target with their war-chests.
- How teams balance domestic talent vs overseas stars, given changing rules and squad limits.
