IPL 2026: Predicted Retained Players List – Team-Wise Retention Before Mega Auction

The excitement around IPL 2026 is already building up as franchises prepare for the Mega Auction scheduled before the next season. With the IPL 2026 set to introduce new strategies, team overhauls, and possibly fresh talent, fans are eager to know which star players their favorite teams will retain.

Here’s an in-depth look at the predicted retained players list for IPL 2026, based on performance, leadership impact, and long-term team vision.

1. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Even after the legendary MS Dhoni hinted at stepping back from full-time captaincy, his influence remains strong. CSK will likely retain their core players for stability.

Predicted Retentions:

• Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain)

• Ravindra Jadeja

• MS Dhoni (Mentor/Player – if available)

• Deepak Chahar

Possible RTM (Right to Match) Cards:

• Shivam Dube

• Tushar Deshpande

CSK Strategy:
The franchise may focus on grooming Gaikwad as their long-term captain while keeping Jadeja and Chahar as experienced pillars.

2. Mumbai Indians (MI)

Mumbai Indians faced a transition phase after Rohit Sharma took over as the team's leader. Hardik Pandya’s return has brought a new dynamic, and the team will look to rebuild smartly.

Predicted Retentions:

• Hardik Pandya (Captain)

• Suryakumar Yadav

• Jasprit Bumrah

• Ishan Kishan

Possible RTM Cards:

• Tilak Varma

• Dewald Brevis

MI Strategy:
MI might focus on balancing youth and experience while planning for the next 3–4 seasons with Pandya and SKY as the core.

3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

Despite years of effort, RCB is still searching for its maiden IPL trophy. However, their core stars remain irreplaceable.

Predicted Retentions:

• Virat Kohli

• Faf du Plessis

• Glenn Maxwell

• Mohammed Siraj

Possible RTM Cards:

• Rajat Patidar

• Dinesh Karthik (if he continues)

RCB Strategy:
RCB may stick with their loyal players like Kohli and Siraj, but will look to strengthen their bowling attack during the mega auction.

4. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

After a strong 2024 season, KKR’s combination of youth and experience is likely to stay intact.

Predicted Retentions:

• Shreyas Iyer (Captain)

• Rinku Singh

• Sunil Narine

• Andre Russell

Possible RTM Cards:

• Varun Chakravarthy

• Venkatesh Iyer

KKR Strategy:
Expect KKR to back their Indian middle order while keeping their Caribbean match-winners on board.

5. Rajasthan Royals (RR)

Rajasthan Royals have built a well-balanced unit led by Sanju Samson, and they’ll likely keep their top performers.

Predicted Retentions:

• Sanju Samson (Captain)

• Yashasvi Jaiswal

• Jos Buttler

• Trent Boult

Possible RTM Cards:

• Riyan Parag

• Yuzvendra Chahal

RR Strategy:
RR will look to retain their explosive opening pair and strengthen their bowling with a few new signings.

6. Delhi Capitals (DC)

DC struggled in the last two seasons, but with a fit Rishabh Pant, they’ll be aiming for a comeback.

Predicted Retentions:

• Rishabh Pant (Captain)

• Axar Patel

• Kuldeep Yadav

• David Warner

Possible RTM Cards:

• Prithvi Shaw

• Jake Fraser-McGurk

DC Strategy:
They’ll likely retain their Indian core and rebuild around Pant’s leadership for IPL 2026.

7. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

LSG showed promise under KL Rahul’s leadership but may tweak their lineup for better balance.

Predicted Retentions:

• KL Rahul (Captain)

• Marcus Stoinis

• Nicholas Pooran

• Ravi Bishnoi

Possible RTM Cards:

• Ayush Badoni

LSG Strategy:
They may focus on retaining all-rounders while adding pace power during the auction.

8. Gujarat Titans (GT)

After two incredible seasons, Gujarat Titans will continue to back their proven performers.

Predicted Retentions:

• Shubman Gill (Captain)

• Rashid Khan

• Sai Sudharsan

• Mohit Sharma

Possible RTM Cards:

• Rahul Tewatia

GT Strategy:
GT’s young core and match-winners like Rashid and Gill will remain the foundation for their 2026 campaign.

Conclusion

As the IPL 2026 Mega Auction approaches, all eyes are on how teams shape their future squads. With a mix of experienced veterans and rising Indian talents, the 2025 season promises to be another blockbuster year for cricket fans.

Stay tuned for official retention announcements and live IPL updates on Sagar Singh Chauhan’s Blog for all the latest IPL 2026 news, predictions, and analysis.