IPL 2026 Auction Set for December 15 in India, Says Report

The next season of the Indian Premier League is already generating excitement as preparations begin for the 2026 player auction, which is expected to take place in India on December 15.

This will mark the return of the high-profile bidding event to Indian soil after two years abroad. Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to officially announce the venue, sources familiar with the matter suggest that the decision is nearly final.

Teams to Submit Retained Player Lists by November 15

Franchises are working against the clock as all ten teams are required to declare their list of retained and released players by November 15. The decisions made this week will shape the dynamics of the upcoming auction, where several high-value trades and reshuffles are expected.

The women's circuit is also gearing up for a busy schedule. The first-ever Women's Premier League (WPL) mega auction is set for November 27 in Delhi. All five franchises have already confirmed their retained players as of November 6, paving the way for what promises to be another competitive season of women's T20 cricket.

Possible Trade Between CSK and Rajasthan Royals

In what could become one of the biggest pre-auction moves, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals are reportedly discussing a potential trade involving Sanju Samson. If finalized, the deal could see the Royals captain moving to CSK in exchange for veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and young South African batter Dewald Brevis.

"Both Jadeja and Samson are Rs 18 crore players, and the deal could well have been sealed by now. However, it is understood that Rajasthan Royals are not yet agreeable to a straight swap. The franchise is believed to be insisting on the inclusion of another player, which could eventually prove to be the sticking point," stated a report covering the development.

Jadeja's Retention and Brevis' Rising Value

Jadeja has been a key figure for Chennai since joining the franchise in 2012 and was retained last season for Rs 18 crore. Brevis, who came in as a mid-season replacement in IPL 2025, quickly made an impression with his power hitting and has since built a reputation as one of the most promising talents in franchise cricket worldwide.

"The deal-breaker over the CSK-RR deal, it is understood, is the latter's demand for Dewald Brevis, who came into the CSK ranks midway last season. Since then, the South African has gone on to become one of the top batters in the global franchise circuit," the report added.

At this stage, Chennai Super Kings are unwilling to include both Jadeja and Brevis in the trade, holding firm that only Jadeja would be part of any player exchange. With both Samson and Jadeja carrying identical price tags, negotiations between the two franchises are expected to continue in the coming days.