The TATA IPL 2026 player retention list is out, and it’s already sparking debates among cricket fans! But here’s where it gets controversial: With a whopping ₹237.55 crore up for grabs in the auction, teams have made some bold choices in retaining players—and some of these decisions are bound to divide opinions. As of November 15, 2025, all 10 franchises have locked in their squads, retaining a total of 173 players, including 49 overseas stars. But which teams have set themselves up for success, and who might be left scrambling in the auction? Let’s dive in.
The Big Picture: Each team can have a maximum of 25 players, but the strategies vary wildly. Punjab Kings lead the pack with 21 retained players, while Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans aren’t far behind with 20 each. And this is the part most people miss: Kolkata Knight Riders have the largest auction purse at ₹64.3 crore, but they also have the most slots to fill—13 in total, with six reserved for overseas players. Will their financial muscle pay off, or will they overspend on the wrong talent?
Controversy Alert: Mumbai Indians, despite retaining 20 players, have just ₹2.75 crore left in their purse. Is this a risky move, or are they banking on their current squad to deliver? Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings have a healthier ₹43.4 crore to spend, but they’ve retained only 16 players. Are they playing it safe, or do they have a secret strategy up their sleeve?
Here’s a breakdown of how each team stacks up:
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK): 16 players retained, including MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Overseas stars like Jamie Overton and Nathan Ellis are staying put. With ₹43.4 crore left, they’re in a strong position to strengthen their squad.
- Delhi Capitals (DC): 17 players retained, including KL Rahul and Axar Patel. Overseas players like Mitchell Starc and Tristan Stubbs add firepower. But with only ₹21.8 crore remaining, their auction strategy will be crucial.
- Gujarat Titans (GT): 20 players retained, including Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan. Despite a modest ₹12.9 crore left, their balanced squad looks solid.
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): 12 players retained, including Sunil Narine and Rinku Singh. With ₹64.3 crore and 13 slots to fill, they’re the team to watch in the auction.
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): 19 players retained, including Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran. Their ₹22.95 crore purse gives them room to maneuver.
- Mumbai Indians (MI): 20 players retained, including Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. But with just ₹2.75 crore left, their auction options are limited.
- Punjab Kings (PBKS): 21 players retained, including Arshdeep Singh and Shikhar Dhawan. Their ₹11.5 crore purse might restrict their auction ambitions.
- Rajasthan Royals (RR): 16 players retained, including Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler. With ₹16.05 crore left, they’re in a decent spot.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): 17 players retained, including Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis. Their ₹16.4 crore purse could help them plug key gaps.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): 15 players retained, including Kane Williamson and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. With ₹25.5 crore left, they have the flexibility to make big moves.
Thought-Provoking Question: With such varied strategies, which team do you think has the edge going into the auction? Will Kolkata Knight Riders’ financial firepower pay off, or will a team like Chennai Super Kings outsmart them with a more balanced approach? Let us know in the comments—this debate is just getting started!
