Excitement is building among players and franchises concerning IPL 2026. This year, November 15th marks the final date for releasing players, after which franchises will attempt to strengthen their teams through a mini-auction.
Sports News: The buzz around IPL 2026 has intensified. According to reports, the mini-auction might be held in mid-December, while November 15th is the last date for player releases. Already, news of several players being released and traded is emerging. The latest updates concern Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson and Delhi Capitals wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul.
Delhi Capitals Eye Sanju Samson
Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson is on Delhi Capitals' primary list for IPL 2026. Reports suggest that the Delhi team is planning to bring Sanju into their fold. Sanju was part of Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2016 and 2017, after which he had an association with Delhi Capitals. In IPL 2025, Sanju missed several matches due to injury.
However, the franchise retained him before the auction, indicating that the team views him as a key player for the future. The report claims that Delhi Capitals might include a player in their offer to trade Sanju Samson, but no final decision has been made yet.
KKR's Plan — Eyes on KL Rahul
Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are also active in the trade market. KKR failed to reach the playoffs in IPL 2025, and the team is eyeing Delhi Capitals' wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul. KL Rahul can not only open the batting but also take on wicketkeeping and captaincy responsibilities. Last season, Rahul scored 539 runs in IPL 2025, including a century.
Delhi Capitals bought Rahul for INR 14 crore last season. However, captaincy in the team was held by Axar Patel. Despite this, Rahul's performance was excellent, and KKR might plan to include him in their squad for this reason.
Prospects of Trade Before Auction
For IPL 2026, the player release and trade process will be completed by November 15th. After this date, teams will only have the opportunity to make changes to their squads through the auction. In the current circumstances, discussions are intensifying between Delhi Capitals and KKR regarding the possibility of trading Sanju Samson and KL Rahul. Franchises will decide on this trade according to their team strategy.
A trade for Sanju Samson could be a significant move for Delhi, as the team is looking for an experienced batsman with captaincy potential. Meanwhile, KKR needs experience in captaincy and opening batting, which Rahul can fully provide.
