Major Surprises Ahead of the IPL 2026 Auction: The list of player retentions ahead of the IPL 2026 auction brought several unexpected moments. While teams like Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI) kept most of their squads intact, others, such as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) chose to make major changes, releasing some well-known players.
Two of the most surprising names to be let go were Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana from CSK and West Indies star Andre Russell from KKR.
With many big names now heading back into the auction pool, some of them could easily attract heavy bidding once again. Here are five released players who might receive big offers in the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
Top Released Players Who Could Spark Bidding Wars In IPL 2026
Andre Russell
In mini-auctions, teams often try to fix one or two specific gaps in their lineups. That is why Andre Russell remains a valuable option despite being released. His IPL 2025 season may not have stood out, but his strike rates with the bat at 163.73 and with the ball at 13.63 still show how dangerous he can be. His all-around abilities make him a strong contender for a high bid.
Matheesha Pathirana
Matheesha Pathirana did not have the season he would have hoped for in IPL 2025, but at just 22 years old, his overall record speaks for itself. With 45 wickets in 30 matches across the last three IPL seasons, he has already proved his worth. Previous auctions have shown how much teams value quality overseas pacers such as Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. Pathirana could be one of the names that sparks a bidding battle.
David Miller
David Miller brings years of IPL experience along with title-winning success, making him a strong option for any franchise looking for stability in the middle order. Released by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), he will definitely draw attention from teams looking for a reliable overseas match-winner who can finish games under pressure.
Ravi Bishnoi
Ravi Bishnoi is arguably the biggest bowling name available in the IPL 2026 auction. Once ranked the world’s No. 1 T20I bowler, he was not retained by LSG at his earlier price of Rs 11 crore. With top Indian spinners like Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal already held onto by their teams, Bishnoi becomes a highly appealing pick for any franchise in need of an Indian spinner.
Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer may have previously earned a massive Rs 23.75 crore, but his skillset continues to make him valuable. As an IPL-winning Indian top-order batter who can also contribute with the ball, he offers a rare combination that many teams look for. He could turn out to be the missing element for a franchise looking to strengthen both their batting and all-round options.
ALSO READ: Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 Livery Change For Stake And Alpine
