As the clock ticks toward the November 15, 2025 retention deadline, IPL franchises are preparing for one of the most strategically important phases ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, expected to take place in mid-December. The rules for this cycle introduce flexibility, giving teams more control over how they shape their squads. Here’s a complete breakdown of what fans and teams need to know.
Retention Deadline and Auction Timeline
All ten teams are required to submit their list of retained and released players by November 15. This final list will set the stage for the mini-auction that is anticipated around 13–15 December 2025. The window between the announcement and the auction allows franchises to recalibrate their strategies, assess purse remaining, and identify roles they plan to fill at the auction table.
How Many Players Can a Team Retain?
Unlike mega-auction years that impose strict limits on the number of retainable players, the IPL 2026 mini-auction permits unlimited retentions. Teams are free to hold on to as many players as they deem essential, giving them the freedom to preserve their core without mandated releases.
Media reports highlight that this relaxed rule gives franchises a chance to carry forward almost their entire squad if they feel the need for stability. This flexibility marks a shift from previous seasons where teams were forced into partial resets.
Squad Size and Purse Restrictions Still Apply
While retention numbers are flexible, the IPL’s structural rules remain in place. Each franchise can field a maximum squad of 25 players, meaning that even with unlimited retention, teams must operate within size constraints.
Additionally, the purse for the season—expected to be near ₹120 crore—must be managed carefully. Retaining more players may reduce purse availability for auction buys, especially high-value overseas names or rising domestic stars.
Why Retention Choices Matter
The absence of a cap on retentions might suggest that teams would simply retain everyone, but practical factors make each decision significant. Teams must weigh the balance between continuity and the need for fresh talent. Some franchises may opt to let go of experienced players to create salary space or to resolve role redundancies. Others, particularly those satisfied with their existing core, may choose to retain most of their squads to preserve chemistry.
Releasing players also opens the opportunity to re-sign them at lower costs during the auction, a tactic several teams have used effectively in the past. The mini-auction format encourages calculated risk-taking, especially for franchises eyeing specific roles or international recruits.
What This Means for Teams and Fans
The 2026 retention rules offer teams unparalleled flexibility heading into the new season. With unlimited retention, a fixed 25-player cap, and a sizeable but finite purse, franchises must strike the right balance between loyalty, strategy, and financial planning. Fans can expect a mix of stability and surprises when teams publish their final lists on the November 15 deadline.
