IPL 2026 Auction: With the BCCI setting November 15 as the deadline for teams to submit their final retention lists, the countdown has officially begun. Franchises have already entered planning mode, crunching numbers, reviewing performances, and preparing their auction strategies.
Speculation has been at its peak, with fans and experts debating who stays and who gets released. Interestingly, while several decisions hinge on on-field performance, a few players who delivered last season may still face the axe – not for cricketing reasons, but due to off-field issues or commitment concerns.
Here’s a look at three such names:
Yash Dayal
RCB finally lifted their maiden IPL trophy in 2025 under Rajat Patidar’s leadership, ending an 18-year wait. A key contributor to that historic campaign was Yash Dayal, who formed a potent pace trio with Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Dayal scalped 13 wickets in 15 matches, maintaining an impressive strike rate of 22.62.
Despite his on-field success, the left-arm seamer’s retention looks uncertain due to serious off-field controversies.
In June 2025, a woman filed a complaint accusing Dayal of cheating and sexual assault during a five-year relationship. An FIR was subsequently registered, and the pacer was denied interim protection.
This resulted in Dayal being banned from the UPT20 League, and RCB may follow suit by releasing him ahead of IPL 2026 to avoid reputational complications.
Mitchell Starc
Delhi Capitals secured Mitchell Starc for a huge Rs 11.75 crore in IPL 2025, and the Australian star delivered exactly what they paid for. He picked up 14 wickets in 11 games, produced match-winning spells – including a stunning five-wicket haul against SRH and played a crucial role in DC’s strong mid-season push.
However, Starc’s refusal to return for the second phase of the IPL which resumed after the Indo-Pak border clashes – reportedly upset the DC management. With the team fighting for a playoff spot, his absence was seen as a major setback.
Although his performances impressed, DC may choose to release him and look for a pacer who can commit fully across the entire season.
Kagiso Rabada
For Kagiso Rabada, IPL 2025 turned into an unexpected nightmare. The Gujarat Titans pacer missed most of the season, and only later did the real reason come to light.
Rabada had been serving a one-month suspension for testing positive for cocaine during the SA20 League in January 2025. The ban overlapped with April and May, the peak period of the IPL – which meant he was unavailable for GT during crucial matches.
He was informed of the positive test result while already playing in the IPL, which forced him to withdraw immediately.
Given the sensitive nature of the issue and the impact on GT’s plans, the franchise may choose to release him and opt for a more reliable overseas fast-bowling option.
While all three players – Dayal, Starc, and Rabada delivered impactful performances when available, their respective off-field or availability-related concerns may lead their franchises to move on before IPL 2026.
With retention lists set to be revealed soon, fans won’t have to wait long to see how teams navigate these tricky situations.
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