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RCB's Star All-Rounder, CSK's Struggling Spinner: One Player Each IPL Franchise Should Release

Anurag Dasgupta

Players who could be released [Source: @iplt20.com] Players who could be released [Source: @iplt20.com]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is still months away but the buzz has already started as every franchise is expected to make some moves before and during the mini auction. The IPL mini auction. provides a chance for every team to strengthen their side and also allows them to release players which are surplus to their requirement.

Here is a list of one player every IPL franchise should release ahead of the next season. There are quite a few surprising names on the list.

IPL 2026 released players: Which players could see the exit door?

1) Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

Liam Livingstone: The English all-rounder was bought with a lot of hope and the expectations were that Livingstone would fill in the middle order void. However, it turned out to be a disastrous signing as the all-rounder could only score 112 runs in 10 matches and was also dropped mid-way. It would be better for RCB to release him and buy a better option.

2) Chennai Super Kings

R Ashwin: CSK made a huge blunder by bringing back R Ashwin in their squad for the 2025 season. The franchise spent a whopping 9.75 crore on Ashwin but the performance was mediocre as he only took seven wickets in nine matches, with an economy of 9.13. By releasing him, CSK are getting their money back and they could add another quality spinner in their ranks.

3) Mumbai Indians

Deepak Chahar: Deepak Chahar is an exceptional swing bowler, but injuries have been his biggest nemesis over the years. In the last few IPL seasons, Chahar suffered multiple injuries and the effect was that his pace slowed down considerably and outside the power-play he looked vulnerable as a bowler. Hence, the team could release him and get a better seam bowler to partner Bumrah.

4) Kolkata Knight Riders

Quinton de Kock: KKR made a blunder in the IPL 2025 auction by releasing Phil Salt and replacing him with Quinton de Kock. The result - the South African batter was a total failure for the three-time IPL winners. 

In 8 matches last season, the southpaw only amassed 152 runs, with a strike rate of 129. By releasing him, KKR could get in a better keeper-batter who could score truckloads of runs.

5) Lucknow Super Giants

Mayank Yadav: There was a toss-up between Rishabh Pant and Mayank Yadav but Mayank's injury history goes against him. He burst onto the scene at a rapid pace, but injuries took a toll on his body as he failed to play in all IPL matches and remained sidelined.

As a result of it, his pace dropped and the seamer looked a pale shadow of his former self in the 2025 season. LSG should release him to get a pacer who remains fit for the entire season.

6) Delhi Capitals

Jake Fraser-McGurk: The Aussie opener had a stupendous debut IPL season in 2024 but he failed to deliver the goods in 2025 as DC's opening woes led to their downfall last season.

In 6 matches, he could only muster 55 runs, at a strike-rate of 105, as DC even dropped him mid-season for his poor performances.

7) Punjab Kings

Glenn Maxwell: He had a disappointing IPL season for RCB in 2024, and when PBKS bought him ahead of the 2025 season, a lot was expected of him but he failed. The Aussie all-rounder struggled with form as he only added 48 runs, with a strike-rate of 97.96.

8) Rajasthan Royals

Shimron Hetmyer: For the last couple of IPL seasons, Shimron Hetmyer has been the backbone of the RR batting unit. However, in the 2025 season, the West Indian batter looked a pale shadow of his former self and failed to win numerous matches for his side from a winning position. In 14 matches he racked up 239 runs but most of them came in losing causes.

9) Gujarat Titans

Rashid Khan: Perhaps the most shocking name on this list is Rashid Khan, the ace spinner of the Gujarat Titans. A world beater with his magical bowling, Rashid has struggled for wickets in the last two IPL seasons. The opponents have figured out ways to deal with him and it reflects on his stats as the spinner has only picked up 19 wickets in the last two seasons, with the economy rate also touching 10 runs per over.

10) Sunrisers Hyderabad

Mohammed Shami: SRH needed an experienced pacer in their squad and hence, they went after Mohammed Shami in the IPL 2025 auction. There was a lot of optimism with his signing, but it turned out to be a disaster. In 9 matches, he only scalped 6 wickets with an economy rate of 11.23. By releasing him, SRH could strengthen their squad by adding a fresh leg to their attack.