From Russell to Pathirana: Released IPL players who can bag hefty money in mini auction

Released players who can fetch big money [Source: AFP Photo]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 retentions are over, as all ten sides have submitted their retention list before the mini auction. Some teams have released plenty of unwanted players, while others have played it safe, keeping their core intact for the 2026 IPL campaign.

  While CSK and KKR released numerous players before the auction, RCB and MI had a relaxed campaign, as the auction takes place next month. In this piece, we have jotted down a list of 5 released players who can start a bidding war in the auction and can fetch a hefty amount.

1) Matheesha Pathirana

The Chennai Super Kings released a plethora of players, but more surprisingly than their star pacer, Matheesha Pathirana. The Sri Lankan bowler had an average IPL 2025 season, and the franchise decided to release him ahead of the mini auction.

(Pathirana in IPL 2025)

• He managed to pick up 13 wickets in the IPL season, but the pacer conceded runs at 10.14, and this hampered CSK’s campaign. He looked a pale shadow of his former self, but despite all the failures, the pacer could start a bidding war in the auction.

Why teams might target Pathirana?

• His slingy action, just like Lasith Malinga's, makes him a difficult commodity to face for the batters. He has a brilliant yorker in his arsenal, and teams desperately need a quality death overs specialist.
• Despite an off-season last campaign, Pathirana has 47 wickets under his belt in the IPL, and has the experience that a team could look for in their bowling department. Hence, a young pacer with a plenty of IPL experience could start a bidding war,

2) Venkatesh Iyer

In a not-so-surprising move, the Kolkata Knight Riders released their 23.75 crore star, Venkatesh Iyer. The all-rounder had a disappointing IPL campaign as he failed to justify the hefty price tag.

(Venkatesh Iyer in IPL 2025)

• Just 142 runs in 11 matches with a strike rate of 139 defined Venkatesh Iyer’s season. The pressure to justify the price tag took a toll on his mind, but there is a good reason why he might still get a hefty amount in mini auction.

Why teams will target Venkatesh Iyer?

• There are many teams like RCB, even KKR and GT, who need a quality middle-order batter. RCB went toe-to-toe with KKR for Venkatesh in the mega auction, and don’t be surprised if they again go after him, as the team could try him at either number 3 or at 5.
• Plus, he has a knack for delivering in knockouts as the batter played a huge part in KKR reaching the finals of the 2021 IPL, and teams like big match-players, and hence, the Madhya Pradesh batter could start a bidding war.

3) Andre Russell

Perhaps the shocker of the retention day came when KKR parted ways with Andre Russell. The star all-rounder was surprisingly released by the franchise after being associated with him since 2013. He was retained for 12 crores in the mega auction, but perhaps the franchise reckoned that a 37-year-old was getting a bit too much money.Tim 

Why teams could target Russell

• The West Indian star needs no introduction - 2651 IPL runs, with a strike rate of 174 to go with 123 wickets defined Russell’s journey in the league. Any team that goes after him will get one of the best all-rounders in the T20 format.
• Not only a great all-rounder, teams targeting him will also get a proven finisher, and sides like GT and CSK need a solid finisher who can steer them in the closing stages of the game.

4) Tim Seifert

RCB had a solid keeper in their ranks in Tim Seifert, but the franchise decided to part ways with him. Again, just like Russell, performance was not an issue, but the maximum number of overseas slots and already having Jitesh Sharma as the keeper meant that Seifert had no place in the squad.

Why teams could target Seifert?

• Numerous teams need a solid keeper, and Seifert provides just that. For New Zealand, the keeper-batter has amassed 559 runs in 16 matches with a strike rate of 164.61 and any team that gets their hands on him will get a proven performer at the international level.
• Teams like DC, and KKR need a solid keeper options and they could start a bidding war for Seifert, who has been one of the best in the business in 2025.

5) Ravi Bishnoi

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) released Ravi Bishnoi, their star pacer, who was associated with them since the team’s inception. Bishnoi had just one poor IPL season (2025), and as a result, the franchise decided to part ways with him.

(Bishnoi in IPL 2025)

• He had an average IPL season, but Bishnoi’s quality cannot be denied. There are teams that definitely need a world-class spinners and hence, the leg-break bowler could fetch a hefty amount.

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