One surprising omission from the longlist is Glenn Maxwell. The Australian allrounder, bought by Punjab Kings for INR 4.2 crore last year, is recovering from a fractured finger.
Post-2020, du Plessis enjoyed a resurgence as a premier batter in the IPL, first finishing runner-up in the 2021 scoring charts and then repeating the feat in 2023
CSK have released 11 players, the most among the 10 franchises, as they attempt to reset after finishing bottom of the table for the first time in their IPL history
The franchise, which has consistently been a strong contender since their debut in 2022, has largely kept their core intact, focusing on retaining key players for the upcoming season.
IPL 2026's retention list is defined by three themes: the blockbuster Jadeja-Samson-Curran swap, the release of several global stars, and franchises making sharp value
The franchise released bowling all-rounder Arjun Tendulkar to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in an all-cash transfer, with the young left-armer set to join his new team at his existing fee of ₹30 lakh.
Among overseas players, LSG have parted ways with David Miller and West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph. These moves mark the franchise's strategic adjustments as they prepare for the upcoming season
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru too have made their retentions public now with the team retaining most of their players who helped them clinch their maiden IPL title last season.
The franchise has retained Heinrich Klaasen, their most expensive and most impactful recent signing, reaffirming his central role in SRH's batting plans.
Sources close to the negotiations reveal that the trade is expected to be an all-cash deal, with Lucknow Super Giants set to pay SRH INR 10 crore (approximately $1.12 million).
His return to the franchise that first dubbed him Rockstar marks a full-circle moment - but it also raises a key question: why would one of the IPL's top all-rounders accept a reduced salary now?
