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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction is all set to take place in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16. 359 players will go under the hammer at the mini-auction, including 244 Indians and 115 overseas players. With 77 slots, including 33 overseas spots to fill in their respective squads, all ten franchises will be looking to strengthen their teams at the auction.
Despite the available talent being limited, several prominent names are available in the auction, and the franchises are expected to spend big on them. Australia all-rounder Cameron Green is among the most sought-after players heading into the auction and has been tipped by many to shatter previous records.
However, several big names will be missing the upcoming auction due to multiple reasons. Some of the IPL regulars, like Faf du Plessis and Andre Russell, have announced their retirement from the league, while others, like Glenn Maxwell, have pulled out of the auction due to unknown reasons.
Glenn Maxwell
Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell will not be part of the IPL 2026 auction after choosing not to register for the event. Maxwell, one of the most destructive batters in T20s, played 13 consecutive seasons in the IPL from 2012 to 2025. He was part of the Punjab Kings in IPL 2025.
Maxwell has played 141 matches in his IPL career so far and amassed 2819 runs at a strike rate of over 155. He was released by PBKS ahead of the IPL 2026 auction after his average returns last season.
Faf du Plessis
Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis will also skip the IPL 2026 auction after opting to feature in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) next season. 41-year-old Du Plessis' decision could have been influenced by his age and the uncertainty around finding a buyer at the IPL 2026 auction.
Du Plessis enjoyed his best spell in the IPL with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he spent nine seasons across two stints. He won two titles with CSK in 2018 and 2021. Du Plessis led the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for three seasons from 2022 to 2024 and was part of the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025.
Andre Russell
The legendary West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell will not be part of an IPL season for the first time since making his debut in 2012. He decided to retire from IPL after being released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, but will remain with the franchise in a different role next season.
Russell will be part of KKR's backroom staff as a power coach. One of the most explosive batters and biggest six-hitters in T20 cricket, Russell won two IPL titles with KKR in 2014 and 2024. He smashed 2651 runs at a stunning strike rate of 174.18 and picked up 120 wickets in 140 matches in his IPL career.
Moeen Ali
Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has also decided to skip the IPL 2026 auction and will feature in the PSL next season. Moeen was part of the KKR squad in IPL 2025. He enjoyed his best stint with CSK, where he spent four seasons from IPL 2021 to 2024. He won two IPL titles with CSK in 2021 and 2023.
Mooen, who played for teams like CSK, RCB and KKR in his IPL career, scored 1,167 runs and picked up 41 wickets in 73 matches in the league across eight seasons. Moeen's decision to skip the IPL auction could also have been influenced by his age and the uncertainty around finding a buyer.
R Ashwin
Former India spinner R Ashwin will also not be part of the IPL 2026 auction after retiring from all forms of cricket last year. He spent the majority of his career at CSK and was part of their squad in IPL 2025. The legendary spinner managed 7 wickets in 9 matches for CSK in IPL 2025.
Ashwin was set to take part in the Big Bash League in Australia earlier this year, however, an injury derailed his plans. Ashwin enjoyed a stellar IPL career, picking up 187 wickets in 221 matches at an economy of 7.20. He played for CSK, Punjab Kings, Rising Pune Supergiant and Rajasthan Royals in his IPL career.
