Who are the top 5 most expensive releases ahead of IPL 2026 auction?
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most popular and competitive T20 leagues in the world. With the IPL 2026 auction just around the corner, teams have been busy retaining and releasing players to build their squads for the upcoming season. The release of players is a crucial aspect of the IPL, as it allows teams to rebuild and strengthen their lineups. In this article, we will take a look at the top 5 most expensive releases ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
The IPL 2026 retention list has been finalized, and several big-name players have been released by their respective franchises. The most expensive release ahead of the auction is all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, who was released by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after earning a whopping ₹23.75 crore. Venkatesh, who has been a key player for KKR in recent seasons, will now be available for other teams to pick up in the auction.
Following Venkatesh on the list is Matheesha Pathirana, who was released by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after earning ₹13 crore. Pathirana, a talented young bowler, has shown immense promise in his short IPL career so far and is expected to attract significant interest from other teams in the auction.
The third most expensive release ahead of the IPL 2026 auction is Andre Russell, who was released by KKR after earning ₹12 crore. Russell, a seasoned all-rounder, has been a key player for KKR in the past and has also represented several other teams in the IPL. His release is a significant move, as he is expected to be one of the most sought-after players in the auction.
The fourth most expensive release is Ravi Bishnoi, who was released by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) after earning ₹11 crore. Bishnoi, a talented young leg-spinner, has shown immense promise in his short IPL career so far and is expected to attract significant interest from other teams in the auction.
The fifth most expensive release ahead of the IPL 2026 auction is Jake Fraser-McGurk, who was released by the Delhi Capitals (DC) after earning ₹9 crore. Fraser-McGurk, a talented young batsman, has shown immense promise in his short IPL career so far and is expected to attract significant interest from other teams in the auction.
The release of these top players has set the stage for an exciting IPL 2026 auction, where teams will look to build their squads and strengthen their lineups. With several other talented players also available in the auction, it will be interesting to see which teams manage to pick up the best players and build a strong squad for the upcoming season.
The IPL 2026 auction is expected to be one of the most competitive auctions in recent years, with several top players available for selection. The auction will be a crucial aspect of the IPL, as it will determine the fate of the teams and the players for the upcoming season.
In conclusion, the top 5 most expensive releases ahead of the IPL 2026 auction are Venkatesh Iyer, Matheesha Pathirana, Andre Russell, Ravi Bishnoi, and Jake Fraser-McGurk. These players are expected to attract significant interest from other teams in the auction and will play a crucial role in determining the fate of the teams for the upcoming season.
For more information on the IPL 2026 retentions, including the full team-wise retained, released, and traded players list, visit: https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/ipl-2026-retentions-full-team-wise-retained-released-traded-players-list/
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