The IPL 2026 retention window delivered one of the most dramatic shake-ups in recent memory. While every season features its share of surprising exits, this year’s list delivered two thunderclaps right at the top: Andre Russell and Glenn Maxwell — two of the IPL’s most influential T20 enforcers — were officially let go.
Russell’s departure in particular feels like the closing chapter of an era. For nearly ten years, he wasn’t just a Kolkata Knight Riders player — he was their heartbeat. A two-time MVP (2015, 2019), one of the most destructive all-rounders the league has ever seen, and a player retained for ₹12 crore for the 2022 mega auction, Russell symbolised the KKR brand with his raw power and big-game temperament. His exit marks the end of one of the most dominant individual runs in IPL history.
Maxwell’s release from Punjab Kings was equally dramatic, albeit for different reasons. After a miserable 2025 campaign — four single-digit scores and just 48 runs across six innings — a fractured finger cut short his season. Despite his struggles, few players in the world possess his explosiveness. Letting him go, along with fellow Australian Josh Inglis, signals a sweeping reset at Punjab.
These blockbuster exits set the tone for a retention list full of curveballs. Here are the 10 most surprising releases ahead of IPL 2026, and why each one is sending ripples through the auction pool.
1. Liam Livingstone — Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Among overseas players, Livingstone’s release stands out. Signed for ₹8.75 crore, RCB expected fireworks, but the English all-rounder endured a lukewarm 2025 season:
112 runs in 8 innings, SR 133.33
Just one half-century
2 wickets across nine overs
Despite his freakish power and versatility, RCB finally ran out of patience after another season where his potential outweighed his performances.
2. Glenn Maxwell — Punjab Kings
Maxwell’s exit is headline material every time. His 2025 season never got off the ground — just 48 runs in seven games, with 30 being the only innings of note. A fractured finger then ruled him out mid-season.
He still picked up four wickets, but the impact Punjab had banked on for years simply didn’t arrive. Even so, the Australian star remains a hot auction commodity — teams know the kind of chaos he can create in the middle overs.
3. Wanindu Hasaranga — Rajasthan Royals
One of world cricket’s most gifted T20 leg-spinners was let go as part of Rajasthan’s dramatic roster shake-up. Hasaranga’s wicket-taking leg-spin and dependable lower-order hitting make him a premium T20 package. His exit is among the auction’s biggest opportunities for teams seeking middle-overs control and finishing depth.
4. Andre Russell — Kolkata Knight Riders
The most seismic release of IPL 2026. Russell’s impact is hard to overstate — match-winner, MVP twice, crowd favourite, and a franchise icon. KKR’s decision to move on signals a complete ideological reset as they try to rebuild a new core for the future. He will command huge interest at the auction.
5. Venkatesh Iyer — Kolkata Knight Riders
Once seen as KKR’s next superstar and signed for a hefty ₹23.75 crore, Iyer’s release underlines the franchise’s aggressive rebuild. While his form fluctuated in recent seasons, parting with such a high-value domestic all-rounder reflects a major strategic shift in Kolkata’s approach.
6. Spencer Johnson — Kolkata Knight Riders
The Australian left-arm quick struggled for rhythm in IPL 2025 but remains one of the fastest rising T20 pacers globally. His exit is less about performance and more about KKR’s sweeping changes across the roster. Given his pace and bounce, he is expected to draw multiple suitors at the auction.
7. Rachin Ravindra — Chennai Super Kings
Perhaps the most surprising name released by CSK. Ravindra produced 191 runs at SR 128.18 in 2025 — not good by any stretch — but CSK needed top-order consistency after a disastrous season where they finished last. His ability as a left-handed batter plus left-arm spin makes him a prime pickup at the auction.
8. Devon Conway — Chennai Super Kings
Conway’s class is unquestioned, but 2025 was a season to forget for CSK’s top order. He contributed 156 runs at a strike rate of 131.09, well below his own standards. With CSK opting for a complete top-order reboot, Conway became one of the big-name casualties of their restructuring.
9. Adam Zampa — Sunrisers Hyderabad
SRH’s overhaul of their spin attack meant Zampa was unexpectedly shown the door. Known for his accuracy, temperament, and pressure-handling ability, Zampa will be on the radar for teams wanting a reliable middle-overs operator.
Major Pre-Retention Trades That Set the Stage
Just before retention day, a massive trade flurry reshaped the squads:
🔄 CSK & RR pull off the biggest swap of the season
Ravindra Jadeja → RR
Sanju Samson → CSK
A blockbuster exchange that redefines both teams’ cores.
RR then boosted their all-round department further by adding Sam Curran from CSK.
🔄 Lucknow land Mohammed Shami
LSG bolstered their pace attack by bringing in veteran Mohammed Shami from SRH — a move that adds serious new-ball firepower.
🔄 Mumbai Indians shuffle their spin unit
Mayank Markande → MI
Arjun Tendulkar → LSG
🔄 Delhi Capitals strengthen their middle order
DC added Nitish Rana, while RR brought back Donovan Ferreira.
Final Word
The IPL 2026 retention window has completely reshaped the tournament landscape. With giants like Russell and Maxwell joining a deep pool of top-tier released players, the upcoming auction promises to be one of the most fiercely contested auctions in league history.
If the retention day fireworks were any indication, IPL 2026 is gearing up to be an explosive season — both on and off the field.
