IPL 2026: Most Expensive Player From Each Franchise Released After Retentions
The list includes players like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, but it does not include KL Rahul or Abhishek Sharma.
The IPL 2026 retention list is out. Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings are expected to start big bidding wars because they have the highest purse among the 10 teams for next month’s mini IPL auction in Abu Dhabi on December 16.
KKR will enter the auction with Rs 63.4 crore after releasing some major non-performing players like Venkatesh Iyer (Rs 23.75 crore) and Andre Russell (Rs 12 crore). CSK have also created a purse of Rs 40 crore by releasing many players, even after trading Sanju Samson.
More than 160 players have been retained by the 10 IPL teams ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Here is a look at the most expensive player of each team before the auction.
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1. Rishabh Pant (LSG): LSG signed Pant for Rs 27 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. Even though he had a poor season, the team has retained him for IPL 2026.
2. Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): Punjab Kings bought Shreyas Iyer for Rs 26.75 crore last year. In IPL 2025, he became their highest run-scorer. Under his captaincy, PBKS topped the table and finished as runners-up.
3. Heinrich Klaasen (SRH): SRH retained Heinrich Klaasen for Rs 23 crore before the IPL 2025 mega auction. He scored 487 runs in 14 matches in IPL 2025.
4. Virat Kohli (RCB): Kohli was RCB’s highest run-scorer in IPL 2025. He has been retained for Rs 21 crore and will play for RCB in IPL 2026.
5. Jasprit Bumrah (MI): Mumbai Indians retained Bumrah for Rs 18 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. He is MI’s highest wicket-taker in IPL history.
6. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson (CSK): Both Gaikwad and Samson are CSK’s highest-paid players at Rs 18 crore each. Samson joined CSK in a trade deal, while Gaikwad was retained last year.
7. Axar Patel (DC): Delhi Capitals retained Axar Patel for Rs 18 crore. He also led the team in IPL 2025.
8. Rashid Khan (GT): Rashid Khan is Gujarat Titans’ most expensive player. He was retained for Rs 18 crore before the IPL 2025 mega auction.
9. Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR): Rajasthan Royals retained Jaiswal for Rs 18 crore. He was their highest run-scorer in IPL 2025.
10. Rinku Singh (KKR): After KKR released Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh became their highest-paid player ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
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