The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) delivered thrilling encounters between the 10 participating teams. With the IPL 2026 auction approaching, anticipation is building among cricket fans for another electrifying season of T20 cricket. The auction is expected to bring fresh changes as franchises strategise to strengthen their squads and address performance gaps from the previous season.

In IPL 2025, while some players maintained top form and others made strong comebacks, a few struggled to meet expectations. Their underwhelming performances have almost sealed their fate, making them likely candidates for release ahead of the IPL 2026 player auction.

Quinton de Kock (KKR)

Quinton de Kock, the dynamic South African opener, played a pivotal role for Mumbai Indians (MI) during his stint from 2019 to 2021, amassing 1,329 runs. His back-to-back 500+ run seasons in 2019 and 2020 were instrumental in MI’s consecutive title triumphs. Later, with Lucknow Super Giants, he continued his strong run, scoring 901 runs over three seasons, showcasing consistency at the top.

Ahead of IPL 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), fresh off their 2024 title win, sought a power-packed opener after releasing Phil Salt. They secured de Kock for INR 3.60 crore. However, he struggled to deliver, managing only 152 runs in eight matches at a modest strike rate of 129.91, falling short of expectations.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (KKR)

Rahmanullah Gurbaz earned his first IPL contract worth INR 50 lakh but could only muster 289 runs in 14 matches across two seasons for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Despite his modest returns, the franchise retained faith in his abilities, repurchasing him for INR 2 crore in the IPL 2025 auction. Initially left out of the playing XI, Gurbaz was brought in mid-season to replace the struggling Quinton de Kock.

Unfortunately, the 23-year-old Afghan opener couldn’t justify the management’s trust. His poor run continued as he managed just 74 runs in five matches, extending his lean patch and failing to make the desired impact at the top of the order.

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Venkatesh Iyer (KKR)

Venkatesh Iyer, the talented left-hander from Madhya Pradesh, became a standout discovery for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the second half of IPL 2021 in the UAE. Scoring 370 runs in just 10 matches, he quickly cemented his place as a key member of the squad. His impactful performances, including a vital role in KKR’s 2024 title win, convinced the franchise to bring him back for the latest season.

After a fierce bidding war with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), KKR secured Venkatesh for a staggering INR 23.75 crore. However, his 2025 campaign proved disappointing, with only 142 runs in 11 matches and a demotion from his usual No.3 spot. With RCB still keen to acquire him for the IPL 2026 auction, his departure from the KKR setup now appears almost certain.

Rahul Tripathi (CSK)

Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Rahul Tripathi was picked up by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for INR 3.40 crore ahead of IPL 2025. Prior to that, Tripathi had an underwhelming three-year run with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where he managed 165 runs in six appearances during IPL 2024 at an impressive strike rate of 143.48. His attacking intent had kept him in demand across franchises, but CSK expected him to deliver consistency as a middle-order option in their batting setup for the new season.

However, the move did not go as planned for either the player or the franchise. Tripathi failed to make any significant contributions, scoring just 55 runs in five matches for CSK at a modest strike rate of 96.49. His lack of form was one of many setbacks that troubled CSK during a difficult campaign. With the franchise already eyeing a revamp, it appears likely that Tripathi could be released before the IPL 2026 auction as the team looks to rebuild.

Mohammed Shami (SRH)

Mohammed Shami enjoyed a brilliant two-year stint with Gujarat Titans (GT), where he picked up 48 wickets and played a key role in their success. Unfortunately, an ankle injury forced him to miss the entire IPL 2024 season. Ahead of IPL 2025, GT decided to release the veteran pacer during the mega auction. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), however, showed immense faith in his abilities and bought him for a massive INR 10 crore, expecting him to strengthen their pace attack.

But Shami’s comeback did not go as planned. The experienced seamer struggled to find his rhythm and looked far from his best. In nine outings, he managed only six wickets while conceding runs at an expensive economy rate of 11.23. Eventually, he was dropped from the playing XI as SRH sought better options. Given his lackluster returns and high price tag, Shami’s underwhelming season has almost confirmed his release from the Orange Army ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.