Live updates on IPL 2026 team changes: Which players are moving between franchises? All the latest developments here
IPL 2026 Player Transfers: Ashwin and Samson in the Spotlight
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) gears up for its 2026 season, the player transfer rules have been set, providing teams with an opportunity to reshuffle their squads before the auction. The trading window, which opened shortly after the conclusion of the previous season, will remain open until a week before the auction.
Transfers can take place in two ways: one-way trades and two-way trades, also known as player swaps. In a one-way trade, a player moves from one team to another for a transfer fee, which can exceed the player's last auction price, with the buying team taking on the player's existing contract terms. Two-way trades involve teams exchanging players, and if there is a difference in players’ values, the team receiving the higher-priced player pays the balance in cash.
Rumours are swirling around the potential departures of two key players, R Ashwin and Sanju Samson, from their current franchises, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, respectively. While no official announcements have been made, reports suggest that both players are considering moves away from their current teams. R Ashwin, who returned to CSK after a decade in 2025, has expressed concerns about his limited game time in the previous season, and the Chennai Super Kings are said to be in discussions with him about his future. Sanju Samson, on the other hand, has reportedly asked the Rajasthan Royals to release him ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
The IPL Governing Council has the final say on all trades, and while players have some input, franchises hold the dominant role in trade decisions. Transfer fees are uncapped, allowing wealthier franchises to pay significant sums outside the auction purse. Players' salaries are transferred along with them, freeing up the seller's auction purse by that amount while adding it to the buyer’s books.
The trade window adds strategic depth to team-building, as teams can reshuffle their squads before the auction's bidding wars commence. Among the players expected to generate significant interest in the 2026 mini-auction are Mitchell Owen, Cam Green, and Mayank Yadav, with Yadav likely to be one of the high-profile Indian players entering the auction.
Looking back at IPL history, notable trades include Robin Uthappa being traded to the Royal Challengers Bangalore in exchange for Zaheer Khan, and Shikhar Dhawan moving from MI to Delhi Daredevils in exchange for Ashish Nehra.
With the IPL 2026 auction scheduled for the near future, the stage is set for another exciting season of player transfers and team reshuffles. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
Sports enthusiasts eagerly await the upcoming IPL 2026 season, as cricket news surrounding potential player transfers heats up. Two star players, R Ashwin and Sanju Samson, have been highlighted in trade rumors, with both considering possible moves from their current franchises, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, respectively.
