IPL 2026 Retention: Major Trades, Key Rules, Timing and Where to Watch

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The countdown for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season is nearing its crucial phase. Saturday, 15 November, marks the final day for all 10 IPL franchises to submit their retained and released players' list to the BCCI. This is the moment fans and teams eagerly wait for, as the future of several marquee players will be decided today.

Major Trades Raise Excitement Before Retention Day

The trade window has already created buzz even before the retention deadline, with 10 players traded so far. Among them, two blockbuster moves dominated the headlines:

Big Trades: Samson, Jadeja, Sam Curran & Mohammed Shami

• Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pulled off a major move by acquiring Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals.
• In return, Rajasthan Royals (RR) added two strong all-rounders—Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran—to their squad.
• On the other hand, Mumbai Indians (MI) strengthened their team by trading in Shardul Thakur, Sherfane Rutherford, and Mayank Markande.
• In another major development, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured the experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami, giving a strong boost to their pace attack.

These trades indicate that franchises are planning significant changes in their strategies for the upcoming season.

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IPL 2026 Mini Auction on December 16 in Abu Dhabi

According to BCCI, the IPL 2026 Mini Auction will take place on 16 December in Abu Dhabi. Since this is not a mega auction, teams are expected to retain most of their core players to maintain squad balance.

Squad Rules for IPL 2026

1. Maximum squad size: 25 players
2. Total salary purse: ₹120 crore
3. Franchises can make trades even after announcing their retention list

The trading window opened on 4 June, a day after the IPL 2025 Final, and will remain open until a week before the auction.

IPL 2026 Retention: Date, Time & Broadcast Details

Retention Timing

• 15 November, 5 PM IST
• Telecast begins right after the final ball of Day 2 of the India vs South Africa Test match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Where to Watch Live on TV?

The IPL 2026 Retention will be broadcast live on Star Sports Network.

Where to Watch Online?

The event will be live-streamed on the JioHotstar app and website.

Conclusion

The IPL 2026 Retention Day is expected to be full of drama and big decisions. Fans will finally find out which players will stay with their franchises, who will be released, and which stars may be traded for a fresh start. The retention announcements will play a key role in shaping the upcoming IPL season before the mini auction in December.

Stay tuned, as today’s retention event will set the stage for IPL 2026!

Also Read: IPL 2026 Trade: Is Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson’s Swap Deal Confirmed?