From Ravichandran Ashwin to Glenn Maxwell: Anil Kumble lists players who should be released after IPL 2025

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The Indian Premier League 2025 has reached its final stretch, with only the high-stakes playoff matches left to be played. Over the course of the season, fans have witnessed outstanding performances from emerging talents as well as consistent match-winners. However, the other side of the coin has also been evident—established names who were expected to dominate failed to justify their reputations or price tags.

The near end of the league stage has painted a fairly clear picture of who impressed and who faltered. Several top players from past seasons struggled to find rhythm, leaving their franchises in a dilemma heading into the mega auction for IPL 2026. With expectations soaring high every season, players who fail to deliver often find themselves on the release list.

Joining the debate on underwhelming performers, former Indian captain and veteran spinner Anil Kumble shared his opinion on which players might face the axe after the current season. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Kumble listed out a group of players who, in his view, didn’t contribute enough to their respective teams and should be considered for release before the next season.

Here’s a look at the players Kumble believes could be on the chopping block:

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The big question now is: will these players get another shot at redemption in IPL 2026? Given that the next season will feature a mini auction, franchises wouldn’t have too much space to rebuild their squads. For some of the players named by Kumble, a release may not mean the end of their IPL careers. Veterans like Ashwin, Shami, and Maxwell still hold experience and skill that teams might value, especially if they bounce back in domestic cricket or overseas leagues in the coming months.

However, the IPL is unforgiving, and reputation alone rarely guarantees a second chance. It all boils down to performance, fitness, and current form. With the emergence of young Indian talents and a growing pool of global T20 stars, competition for limited spots has never been fiercer.

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