Explained: Can players still be traded after IPL 2026 retentions?

Table of Contents

The IPL 2026 retention deadline on November 15, 2025, officially locked in each franchise’s list of retained and released players, resetting salary purses and shaping the core of every squad ahead of the Abu Dhabi mini-auction. But even as teams finalised their retention strategies, questions quickly emerged among fans: Does the action stop here? Can teams still trade players after the retention lists are out?

The short answer is yes—and the post-retention phase is often where some of the biggest tactical moves take place.

The retention deadline marks only the first major checkpoint in a franchise’s squad-building journey. According to IPL regulations, the trading window functions independently of the retention process, allowing teams to negotiate and swap players right up until a specific cut-off date before the auction.

For the IPL 2026 season, the trading window—opened on June 4, 2025, a day after the IPL 2025 final—remains active until one week before the mini-auction, which is scheduled for December 16, 2025. This gives teams until around December 9, 2025, to strike last-minute deals, adjust purse balances, and plug gaps in their line-ups.

Once this window closes, it will reopen immediately after the auction, enabling teams to continue fine-tuning their squads until roughly one month before the 2026 season begins. The only restriction is clear: players bought at the mini-auction cannot be traded in the post-auction window.

The continuous trading period gives teams additional flexibility that the retention deadline alone cannot offer. Franchises often opt to release players and then attempt to re-sign or trade for them at adjusted values. The active trade period also helps teams balance different needs—overseas combinations, Indian depth, uncapped talent, leadership experience, or specific role players.

With the auction purse being a critical factor, teams frequently negotiate trades to free up funds or acquire a strategic player without entering a bidding war. This element of planning is crucial because even a single smart trade can dramatically alter a side’s trajectory.

Also READ: IPL 2026 Retentions: Team-wise available slots and Purse remaining ahead of mini-auction

The lead-up to the 2026 mini-auction has been nothing short of dramatic. Several major trades have already stunned fans and reshaped the balance of power across the league.

The biggest headline-grabbing move was the three-way blockbuster swap involving Sanju Samson, Ravindra Jadeja, and Sam Curran—one of the most significant player exchanges in IPL history. Samson joined Chennai Super Kings, signalling a major shift in CSK’s leadership and batting core. Jadeja and Curran moved to Rajasthan Royals, giving RR a formidable all-round unit and adding tremendous experience to their middle order.

Similarly, Mumbai Indians strengthened their squad by securing Shardul Thakur and Sherfane Rutherford, adding depth to both seam bowling and finishing options. Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants landed Mohammed Shami, a trade that immediately boosts their powerplay and death-overs potency.

Also READ: Aakash Chopra predicts the most expensive player in the IPL 2026 auction