12 Most Expensive Players Released Before IPL 2026 Auction

Expensive Players IPL 2026: The Indian Premier League teams gave out their final list of players kept and players released on November 15 as they get ready for the IPL 2026 auction in December. Every team now waits to pick the missing pieces they need when the auction opens. Many well known names have been released, and several of them will draw huge attention because of their talent and past records.

KKR’s ₹40 Crore Strategy: Six Players Likely to Be Released Before IPL 2026 Auction

Venkatesh Iyer

Kolkata Knight Riders decided to release Venkatesh Iyer. Lastyear he cost the team INR 23.75 crore, which happened because KKR and Royal Challengers Bengaluru pushed the bidding very high. Now KKR has the biggest purse in the auction, so the team may try to buy him again for a lower price.

David Miller

Lucknow Super Giants released David Miller before the auction. He is known as a strong middle-order batter for South Africa and earlier helped Gujarat Titans in their early seasons. In Lucknow he did not get many chances to show what he can do.

Andre Russell

The release of Andre Russell surprised almost everyone. This is the first time since 2014 that Kolkata Knight Riders has let him go. Even though he is older now, he still hits the ball very hard in T20 leagues all around the world. A team that needs a player who can hit big shots at the end will look at him. His bowling skills also make him even more valuable.

Matheesha Pathirana

Chennai Super Kings dropped Matheesha Pathirana even though he was kept for INR 13 crore last year. CSK worked on him for many seasons and saw him as a long-term project. But his performance slowed down in the last two years, and Nathan Ellis showed better deathovers bowling. CSK might try to sign Pathirana again for a smaller amount.

IPL 2026 Release and Retention List: Lucknow Super Giants Set to Drop Several Players

Rahul Chahar

Sunrisers Hyderabad released Rahul Chahar after the team found strong leg-spin support from Zeeshan Ansari during IPL 2025. With this extra spin option, SRH sent Chahar back to the auction pool. He played earlier for Mumbai Indians and showed he can be a steady wrist-spinner.

Cameron Green

Cameron Green missed the 2025 mega auction because he was injured, but he is now fit and playing well in the shortest format. He had an excellent season with RCB earlier, so his all-round skills will make teams chase him. He can bat, bowl, and field, so he may create a bidding war during the mini auction.

Ravi Bishnoi

Ravi Bishnoi stayed with Lucknow Super Giants. He is the highest wicket-taker in the team’s IPL history. The franchise kept him for Rs 11 crore before the IPL 2025 mega auction. In IPL 2025 he took 9 wickets in 11 games.

Jake Fraser-McGurk

Jake Fraser-McGurk joined Delhi Capitals for Rs 9 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. He played six matches and scored 55 runs. Delhi released him on November 15.