Jos Buttler, KL Rahul & Shreyas Iyer The IPL 2026 retention deadline is fast approaching and all ten franchises are expected to submit their final rosters by November 15. As the clock ticks down, team management engages in intense discussions about who to keep and who to release. The focus is on balancing purse value, player form, injury management and overall impact before finalizing a decision ahead of next month’s mini-auction. Since this is not a mega auction, franchises can retain or release as many players as they wish, provided they adhere to key rules: a maximum squad size of 25 players, up to 8 overseas and a total salary cap of ₹120 crore.
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While this year’s decisions are being made carefully, the history of the IPL is littered with examples of teams regretting their decisions – and there were more than a few last season. Here are five instances where franchises suffered due to their release ahead of IPL 2025.1. If Buttler One of the biggest shocks ahead of the 2025 mega auction was Rajasthan Royals’ decision to drop Jose Buttler. The England opener has been their batting mainstay for years and fans have been struggling to understand the move. Gujarat Titans capitalized on this and signed Buttler for ₹14 crore. He silenced all critics by scoring 538 runs at an average of 59.78 and a strike rate of 163.03, proving that he is still among the best in the business.2. Prasidh Krishna Prasidh Krishna has emerged as one of the standout performers of IPL 2025. Released by Rajasthan Royals and picked up by Gujarat Titans for ₹9.5 crore, Prasidh won the Purple Cap and finished as the leading wicket-taker with 25 wickets in 15 matches. His consistent pace and control made RR’s decision to let him go look questionable in hindsight.3. Shreyas Iyer When KKR released Shreyas Iyer, their former title-winning captain, it raised eyebrows across the cricketing world. Punjab Kings acquired him for ₹26.75 crore – the second highest bid of the auction. Iyer responded in style, scoring 604 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175, leading PBKS to their first IPL final since 2014.4. KL Rahul KL Rahul’s fallout with the management of Lucknow Super Giants was one of the most talked about stories of last season. After reports of tension with owner Sanjiv Goenka, Rahul was released and picked up by the Delhi Capitals. The move rejuvenated his career as he amassed 539 runs in 13 matches at an average of 53.90, proving his worth yet again.5. Noor Ahmad Gujarat Titans’ decision to release Noor Ahmad has raised questions even before the start of the season. The young Afghan spinner was acquired by Chennai Super Kings for ₹10 crore, one of their costliest purchases. Noor repaid the faith, taking 24 wickets in 14 matches to finish as the second-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2025, making GT’s call look like a costly mistake. As the 2026 retention deadline approaches, these stories serve as a reminder that one bad release can completely change a team’s fortunes.
