The IPL 2026 auction is scheduled for December 16, 2025, at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena, poised to deliver high drama with 77 slots up for grabs across 10 teams, including 31 for overseas players.
Kolkata Knight Riders hold the biggest purse at ₹64.3 crore for maximum flexibility, while Mumbai Indians scrape by with just ₹2.75 crore, shaping aggressive bidding wars and unexpected player shifts.
Around 1,355 players have registered for the auction, with 45 of them having a base price of ₹2 crore, the highest among all. Two India players, Ravi Bishnoi and Venkatesh Iyer, have put them in this bracket. Struggling sides like Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals gear up for overhauls.
Amid this, there will be a number of star names who are set to miss
the IPL 2026 mini auction. From retirements to opting for other leagues, here are the list of players set to miss the auction this year.
Faf du Plessis
The South Africa legend announced to skip the IPL 2026 auction recently. Du Plessis, who has honed the jerseys of CSK and RCB in the past, was part of Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025. But Du Plessis wants to take part in the Pakistan Super League in 2026.
Cheteshwar Pujara
Not a regular in IPL, but Cheteshwar Pujara won't be a part of the auction after retiring from all forms of cricket recently. The India star last played for the Chennai Super Kings.
Ravichandran Ashwin
The veteran Indian off-spinner, Ravi Ashwin, played for his home team Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025. After a turbulent season and off-field controversy, Ashwin announced his retirement from Indian cricket and thus won't be in the mini auction. Ashwin was supposed to play in Big Bash League but an injury has ruled him out of that competition as well.
Andre Russell
After being left out by KKR before the mini auction, Andre Russell decided to abruptly end his playing career in the IPL. The West Indies veteran has been roped in as KKR's 'Power Coach' ahead of IPL 2026 and will be appearing in a new role.
Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali has also opted out of IPL to play in the PSL. The England international was part of the KKR squad in 2025, but was not retained ahead of the mini auction.
Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell is set to miss out the IPL 2026 auction. The Australian star was released by the Punjab Kings, and as per reports, his name was not included in the registered players' list.
Mohit Sharma
Mohit Sharma announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The India pacer was released by Delhi Capitals ahead of the auction, and now the player's retirement means he won't play any part in the auction.
Amit Mishra
Former India spinner Amit Mishra also called it quits from all forms of cricket. Although he was not part of the 2025 IPL, the veteran won't play any part in the auction this time as well.
