EXPLAINED | Cracking the code of IPL Player Trades — What every fan needs to know

Sanju Samson may part ways with Rajasthan Royals (BCCI Photo)

There’s been no shortage of drama in Indian cricket lately. The young, new-look Test squad just wrapped up a hard-fought five-match series that ended in a 2-2 draw. As the dust settles on that epic series, attention has quickly shifted to other burning topics. Discussions are heating up around possible inclusions and omissions for the upcoming Asia Cup squad, while the prestigious Duleep Trophy is set to begin later this month. Speculation also continues to swirl around the ODI futures of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Although there’s less on-field action this month, the off-field chatter has only intensified. And when it comes to cricket in India, can the IPL ever stay out of the spotlight? Surely not.

One topic that's gaining serious traction among fans and players is the swirling trade rumors in the IPL. Reports have been circulating for weeks that Sanju Samson and Ravichandran Ashwin, two seasoned IPL campaigners, may be parting ways with their current franchises. Samson has remained silent on the matter, but Ashwin has openly stated that the decision lies with the franchise, not him.

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The last time the IPL trade market was abuzz like this was in 2023, when Hardik Pandya's blockbuster move from Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians made headlines as the most high-profile player transfer in the league's history. Could we see a repeat this year? Possibly. Samson, currently with Rajasthan Royals, might be on the move if a deal is struck. If he becomes available, expect multiple franchises to enter the race.

But how do IPL trades actually work? Do players have a say in their own transfers? Or is the final call always with the franchises? What are the rules and conditions governing these deals?

To find answers to these questions and more, check out the explainer below.

What is an IPL Player Trade?

An IPL player trade refers to a direct agreement between two franchises that allows a player to move from one team to another without participating in the auction process. The trade window typically opens about a month after the end of the IPL season. It remains active until roughly a week before the auction and then reopens after the auction, continuing until around a month before the next season begins.

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How Do IPL Trades take place?

IPL trades are carried out in two ways: a one-way trade or a two-way swap.

In a one-way trade, a player is transferred from one team to another in exchange for money. The buying franchise usually pays an amount equivalent to the player's most recent auction price. Example: When MI brought in Hardik from GT, they reportedly paid his 2022 auction value along with an additional, undisclosed transfer fee.

In a two-way trade, two franchises exchange players. If the players involved have differing price tags, the team acquiring the higher-valued player will have to pay the difference. For instance, when Lucknow Super Giants traded for Avesh Khan from Rajasthan Royals in exchange for Devdutt Padikkal, they added Rs 2.25 crore to balance the trade.

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What exactly is a ‘Transfer Fee’?

It is an additional amount paid by one team to another as part of a player trade, over and above the player’s auction price. This fee is negotiated and agreed upon by both franchises before finalizing the deal. While there is no cap on how much the transfer fee can be, the exact amount remains confidential between the IPL authorities and the franchises involved.

Does the Transfer Fee impact a Team’s Auction Budget?

No, the transfer fee is separate from a franchise’s auction purse. It’s an additional payment made during a trade and does not reduce the amount a team can spend in the auction.

Who has the final say in a Player Trade?

A player’s agreement is essential for any trade to go through. While the franchises technically decide whether to release or retain a player, the player's consent is very important. For example, if the Royals are willing to let go of Samson, they will negotiate hard to get a suitable deal. If the terms are met, they can release him; otherwise, he remains with the team.

In Hardik’s case, it was his wish to return to Mumbai Indians — where he began his IPL journey — as confirmed by GT director of cricket Vikram Solanki. Regardless of the decision, all trades must receive approval from the IPL governing council.

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When did IPL Player Trading begin?

It started in 2009, just one year after the start of the IPL. The first trade saw Mumbai Indians acquire a young Shikhar Dhawan from the then Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in exchange for a veteran Ashish Nehra. Later in the same season, MI and RCB exchanged players, with Robin Uthappa moving from MI to RCB, and Zaheer Khan making the opposite switch from Bengaluru to Mumbai.

While the dates for the 2026 auction are yet to be confirmed and remain several months away, the coming months promise plenty of excitement, with more players expected to enter trade discussions. With a mini-auction scheduled, more player movements are likely. During the remaining days of the trade window, intense negotiations between franchises will ultimately shape the destinies of the players at the centre of attention.