It's that time of year when the Indian Premier League sits at the centre of every conversation about cricket among fans. With the IPL 2026 season just around the corner, all the ten franchises are hectic with finalizing their retention lists before the deadline for submission. While big teams like Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Royal Challallengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Mumbai Indians (MI) have already hit the headlines about their moves and trade talks. Unlike the last edition, the 2026 season is a mini auction with greater flexibility for the teams in terms of player retention and smart buys. Fans are also in for several surprises as franchises seek to strike a good balance between experience, youth, and budget ahead of the new season. IPL 2026 Retention Rules and Deadline There is no strict cap on the number of players that can be retained by a team in a mini auction. Every franchise, however, has to stick to the rule of having a maximum of 25 players in their final squad. The total purse for each franchise this time is ₹120 crore, which teams will use strategically to strengthen weak areas. The deadline day for IPL 2026 retentions is Saturday, November 15, and all teams must submit their final list of retained and released players by 5 PM IST. Once the lists are released, fans will get a clear picture of each team’s core lineup for the next season. Also Read | Mumbai Indians Close to Signing Star KKR Spinner Ahead of IPL 2026 IPL 2026 Auction Date and Venue Although the official date of the auction hasn’t been confirmed yet, it is likely to be held between December 13 and 16.As was the case last year, the IPL 2026 auction is likely to be held outside India, with Abu Dhabi emerging as the front-runner.Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which hosted the IPL 2025 auction, could still be in the running. The mini auction will allow teams to focus on specific needs, especially backups, all-rounders, and uncapped Indian talents. With several players already in the trade talk, the auction promises excitement for the fans and the franchises alike. Also Read | IPL 2026 Mini-Auction: When, Where & How Players Can Register Where to Watch IPL 2026 Retention IPL 2026 retention event will be telecast live on Star Sports Network - Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 (Hindi), Star Sports 2 (Tamil), Star Sports 2 (Telugu), and Star Sports 2 (Malayalam). Fans can also watch the live streaming on the JioStar app and website from 5 PM IST onwards on November 15. With the announcement of trade deals, surprise retention, and auction strategies, the IPL buzz is once again set to dominate cricketing discussions in the country.