New Delhi: The deadline for Indian Premier League (IPL) teams to announce their lists of retained and released players for the 2026 season is set for Saturday, November 15. Following this, a mini auction is anticipated to take place around December 15 or 16, with the venue confirmed to be in Abu Dhabi, moving away from India.
Previously, IPL auctions have been hosted in Dubai and Jeddah. According to a report from PTI, the decision to hold the auction in Abu Dhabi was made to accommodate the overseas support staff who play a crucial role in player selection. Initial plans considered Mumbai and Bengaluru as potential locations; however, these have been abandoned.
The anticipation surrounding the IPL is building, particularly with just four days remaining before teams finalize their lists of retained and released players. This excitement is largely attributed to the pending trade involving notable players Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson, with several reports confirming this development.
In addition to the Jadeja-Samson trade, other player transactions are also being discussed; however, the focus remains predominantly on this particular deal. The Rajasthan Royals have reportedly been in negotiations with various franchises regarding the Samson trade, but the Chennai Super Kings are expected to finalize the agreement, barring any last-minute changes.
