Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, all 10 franchises have revealed their retained players, and the lists clearly suggest where each team’s trust and long-term planning lie. Based on their IPL 2025 performances, squad requirements, and future strategies, many senior players have earned massive contracts, while some big names surprisingly did not cut.
Superstars like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah remain the top retainers in their respective teams, while promising names like Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma didn’t make it to the top retainers. Here is the complete breakdown of the most expensive player from each IPL team for IPL 2026.
Most Expensive Players of Each IPL Team in IPL 2026
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – Rishabh Pant ₹ 27 crore
LSG bought Rishabh Pant for ₹27 crore in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction and has continued to back him to the hilt despite a below-par season. His explosive batting, proven leadership, and finishing ability keep him central to LSG’s plans for IPL 2026.
Punjab Kings – Shreyas Iyer (₹26.75 crore)
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Shreyas Iyer, bought for ₹26.75 crore, repaid PBKS’s investment by leading the team to the IPL 2025 final. As the team’s top run-scorer and an influential captain, Iyer remains PBKS’s highest-value retention going into IPL 2026.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – Heinrich Klaasen (₹23 crore)
Heinrich Klaasen, meanwhile, has been the mainstay of SRH’s batting over recent seasons. Retained for ₹23 crore, the South African superstar came up with 487 runs in IPL 2025 and repeatedly bailed them out of trouble in the middle order. He will again be an important pillar of their gameplan in IPL 2026.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – Virat Kohli, ₹21 crore
Virat Kohli remains RCB’s most valuable player on a ₹21 crore contract. The leading run-scorer of the franchise in IPL 2025, Kohli brings unmatched experience, consistency, and global appeal. He remains RCB’s batting leader ahead of IPL 2026.
Mumbai Indians (MI) – Jasprit Bumrah (₹18 crore)
MI continue to rely on Jasprit Bumrah, retaining him for ₹18 crore. The all-time leading wicket-taker for Mumbai, Bumrah remains the cornerstone of MI’s attack, particularly at death overs when his precision often changes the game. He will be one of the most crucial factors once more in the IPL 2026.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Ruturaj Gaikwad & Sanju Samson (₹18 crore each)
This time, CSK have two top-priced retentions. Sanju Samson joined CSK in a high-profile trade worth ₹18 crore. Ruturaj Gaikwad, too, was retained at the same amount as his previous auction signing.
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Gaikwad provides stability at the top, whereas Samson brings power and fluency in the middle order. Together, both bring strength to CSK’s batting unit for IPL 2026.
Delhi Capitals (DC) – Axar Patel (₹18 crore)
Retained for ₹18 crore, Axar Patel remains DC’s multi-dimensional game-changer. From being a captain in IPL 2025, his tight bowling, wicket-taking ability, and reliable finishing make him indispensable to Delhi’s IPL 2026 plans.
Gujarat Titans (GT) – Rashid Khan (₹18 crore)
GT strengthen their core by retaining Rashid Khan for ₹18 crore. One of the most impactful spinners to have played in the IPL, Rashid’s wicket-taking consistency makes him GT’s biggest match-winner going into IPL 2026.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) – Yashasvi Jaiswal (₹18 crore)
RR’s costliest retention is still Yashasvi Jaiswal, who topped the scoring charts for the team in IPL 2025. His fearless and aggressive approach has reshaped Royals’ batting philosophy, hence making him central to their plans for IPL 2026. Kolkata Knight Riders Rinku Singh (₹13 crore) KKR have retained Rinku Singh for ₹13 crore, making him their highest-paid player for the IPL 2026.
Rinku’s calm temperament, finishing skills, and clutch performances won the trust of the management at KKR. With the release of Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku now assumes even greater responsibility to be the backbone of KKR’s batting lineup.
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