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Matheesha Pathirana and Dhoni - (Source: AFP)
The preparations for IPL 2026 are in full swing as teams are looking to complete their squads ahead of the retentions and mini-auction. The teams will look at their purse value and release players accordingly.
In 2024, there was the mega-auction, and the teams splurged on a lot of players, which eventually turned out to be a poor deal financially, as players couldn't justify their salary tags. Meanwhile, this article will shed light on players from each teams, who still might be released to be rebought at a lower price.
1. Chennai Super Kings - Matheesha Pathirana
In 2025, CSK retained Matheesha Pathirana for a whopping 13 crores purse value. However, the Sri Lankan star failed to perform as expected and couldn't justify the high salary.
Since the completion of IPL 2025, Pathirana hasn't improved much, as he spent most of the Asia Cup T20 2025 on the bench. However, he continues to be a crucial bowler for any side, and CSK wouldn't like to lose him.
Thus, it is likely that the Men in Yellow sent Pathirana to the auction and saved a few crores by releasing and rebuying him. The right- arm seamer took 13 wickets in 12 innings in IPL 2025 and bowled with an economy of 10.14.
2. Delhi Capitals - T Natarajan
For Delhi Capitals, T Natarajan was their biggest mystery as the star bowler missed most of the IPL as DC mentor Kevin Pietersen remarked that the left-arm seamer failed to fit the team's system.
Notably, DC bought Natarajan for a whopping 10.75 crores and with the quality he possesses, the Capitals would like to have him back at the auction at a lower price. T Natarajan only got a solitary match and picked no wickets.
3. Gujarat Titans - Rashid Khan
For the Gujarat Titans, they might have a tough call to make as Rashid Khan, who had a pretty underwhelming performance in IPL 2025, earns 18 crores in the cash-studded league.
Despite the big stature of Rashid across leagues, having 18 crores as a salary doesn't justify it, and the Titans would look to buy the spinner's services for a lesser amount than that, be it a couple of crores less than his current salary. Rashid only picked up nine wickets in 15 innings for GT.
4. Kolkata Knight Riders - Venkatesh Iyer
For KKR, it is a no-brainer, and the player has to be Venkatesh Iyer. The star all-rounder became the highest-paid all-rounder in the history of the league after KKR bought him for 23.75 crores in the auction.
However, Venkatesh had a disastrous season, and there are already rumours that the Knight Riders might want to trade him away. Although the truth be revealed, Iyer is not too bad to not be in the team, and the Knight Riders should re-buy the southpaw for a much lesser price than 23.75 crores. Venky didn't bowl and even with the bat, he scored 142 runs in seven innings.
5.Lucknow Super Giants - Akash Deep
LSG, too, should look to bring some cash back to their purse value, and since they cannot afford to leave Rishabh Pant out because of the purse value he brings, Akash Deep seems to be the most logical option.
The Indian star bowler was bought for 8 crores in IPL 2025, but his recent injury concerns and inconsistency can help LSG rebuy him around 4-5 crores. For Akash Deep, he picked up just three wickets in six innings.
6. Mumbai Indians - Deepak Chahar
Similar to Akash Deep for LSG, it seems the Mumbai Indians are paying a lot of price to have Deepak Chahar's services. Notably, Chahar earns a whopping 9.25 crores, which is a lot of money given his underwhelming performance in the previous season.
On top of that, his injury struggles as well might reduce his price tag for the coming season. Thus, MI can have the trio of Bumrah, Bolt, and Chahar at a lower price. Talking about the right-arm seamer, Chahar only managed to take 11 scalps in the 14 innings he bowled in.
7. Punjab Kings - Marcus Stoinis
For the Punjab Kings, they had a great season and all the players did well, which helped the Kings reach the final, but the Kings can release Marcus Stoinis to be brought back at a lower price.
Notably, Stoinis is earning a whopping 11 crores and deserves to be earning somewhere around 6-7 crores, which could help Punjab around 5 crores. Stoinis only amassed 160 runs in 11 innings and took a solitary wicket in IPL 2025.
8. Rajasthan Royals - Shimron Hetmyer
For the Rajasthan Royals, they retained Shimron Hetmyer for 11 crores, but the West Indies batter has failed to perform the finishing duties for the Men in Pink. However, RR can continue to show trust in Hetmyer and also save a lot of bucks.
Hetmyer could only manage to get 239 runs in 13 innings, which let down RR big way in IPL 2025.
9. Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Rasikh Dar
For RCB, they had their best season in IPL history after becoming the champions for the first time. But still, if there is one player that RCB needs for the upcoming season, but whose price money is hurting them, it is Rasikh Dar.
The former DC star was roped in by RCB for 6 crores, but she was left out of the scheme of things mid-season, and when given the chance, couldn't replicate the heroics she showed at DC. Thus, the defending champions would look to save some money on Rasikh Dar.
10. Sunrisers Hyderabad - Mohammed Shami
For SRH, it has to be Mohammed Shami, who was bought for 10 crores in IPL 225, but the right-arm seamer looked off-colours, and because of his injury concerns, he has now also fallen out of the scheme of things for India has well.
Thus, it is not the same Shami, who wreaked havoc in the batters mind, which is why he can see a dip in his price value for IPL 2026. Shami picked just six wickets in nine innings, and bowling at an economy of 11.23.
.jpg?type=mq "IPL trade rumours")
