The mini auction for IPL 2026 season is scheduled for December, and all ten franchises will soon announce their list of retained and released players. The retention list goes live on November 15, revealing which stars have been kept and who will enter the auction pool. (BCCI Photo)
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While player shuffles and trades are a regular feature of the IPL, a few cricketers have remained untouchable - never released by their teams.
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Sunil Narine, who joined the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2012, has been central to the team’s success, helping them claim three IPL titles. He is both KKR’s leading wicket-taker and most capped player, and remains the only individual to earn the Most Valuable Player award three times. (BCCI Photo)
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Ruturaj Gaikwad, who made his IPL debut for CSK in 2020, has rapidly evolved into one of the team’s most dependable batters. With more than 2,500 runs in 71 matches at an average of 40.35 and a strike rate of 137.47, he also captured the Orange Cap during the 2021 season.
Virat Kohli is the only cricketer to feature in all 18 IPL seasons with a single franchise — Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Signed for Rs 12 lakh in 2008, Kohli has grown into the league’s most prolific run-scorer and holds the record for the most centuries, highlighted by his extraordinary 973-run campaign in 2016.
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MS Dhoni has been the backbone of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since the franchise’s debut in 2008. Under his captaincy, CSK has lifted five IPL trophies, and Dhoni has set numerous benchmarks, including the highest number of matches played and most wicketkeeping dismissals in the league. Apart from the team’s two-year suspension in 2016 and 2017, he has remained loyal to CSK throughout his IPL career. (BCCI Photo)
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Sachin Tendulkar was a one-franchise icon for the Mumbai Indians (MI), representing them from the inaugural IPL season until he retired in 2013. He became the first Indian player to win the Orange Cap and wrapped up his career with 2,334 runs in 78 games. Since retiring, he has continued contributing to MI as a mentor.
