What each team must do in IPL 2026 auction?:KKR in search of Russell’s replacement, CSK need lower-order firepower; team-wise analysis

With the IPL retention and released players list out on 15 November, Indian Premier League franchises are all set to prepare for the players that they need to pick at the mini auction on 15 December. This year, the auction is set to take place in Abu Dhabi. However, considering the list of players that teams have let go and have kept to themselves, the picture has become clearer about their preferences. However, before analysing team-wise what each franchise must do in the IPL 2026 mini auction, let’s get to know how much purse teams have in their books after retention. With this chunk of money in their pockets, the IPL franchises must take the following calls and utilise their purse in a smart way to balance out the squad before the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League next year. What must each franchise do in the IPL 2026 auction? 1. Chennai Super Kings need power hitters and spinners to assist Noor Ahmad Their CEO, Kasi Viswanathan, pointed out the need for opening batsmen, which they have found in Sanju Samson. However, with more than ₹43 Cr at their disposal, they will look to rebuild a spin core around Noor Ahmad and pick up some fast-bowling help. Their batting lineup looks robust, but Glenn Maxwell and David Miller can be included as power hitters. 2. With the least money in purse, Mumbai Indians expected to stay quiet at the auction: Mumbai Indians mentor Mahela Jayawardene said, “We built our team around a core group of players, and they still remain. They are very hungry for success. Rohit, Surya, Jasprit, Hardik, Tilak, if we put that in that pool.” Although they lack a quality spinner, and mere ₹2.75 crore in their pocket might not satisfy their ambition. 3. Rajasthan Royals need to strengthen the bowling slots: For now, the Rajasthan Royals seem content with the hitting abilities of Donovan Ferreira. Moreover, they have also got Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. However, with an all-rounder and secondary spinner, they might still go for Karn Sharma and Rahul Chahar as core bowling options. On top of it, filling 9 positions with just ₹16 Cr of purse money will be tricky. 4. Apart from an upgrade, Royal Challengers Bengaluru seem fine: The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, seem to have a balanced squad already, considering they have won the title with it. They have great options and very solid depth, and Liam Livingstone’s release means some money to even upgrade if they should require. Names like Aaron Hardie will be interesting to them just as backup, but Rajat Patidar’s team will be happy with where they are. 5. Delhi Capitals in search of explosive openers: Delhi Capitals have a big purse of ₹21.8 crore and need top-order options after they released Fraser-McGurk and du Plessis. Moreover, they might also need more overseas players, with just three left in their squad. It can be an opener or a seamer, most probably. Barring injury, they probably have their starting XI already set. They have lots of batting and terrific spin bowling, yet they still need 8 slots to fill for the backup options. 6. Lucknow Super Giants need a quality pacer and someone to assist Digvesh Rathi They choose to hang on to Mayank Yadav, but the addition of Mohammed Shami means Lucknow Super Giants have a lot of big-budget players on the books. Although they have released Ravi Bishnoi, they still need someone to assist Digvesh Rathi with a purse of almost ₹23 crore(22.95). In addition to it, they might also need seam bowling backup in the squad. 7. Sunrisers Hyderabad need to work on bowling department Sunrisers Hyderabad already have one of the most lethal batting lineups in the cash-rich domestic league. However, after releasing Adam Zampa and Rahul Chahar, they need a couple of spinners. They might also need an all-rounder and probably an Indian fast bowler. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad have plenty of cash to target that particular area of their team. 8. Almost perfect Punjab Kings need a pinch of overseas unpredictability Ricky Ponting’s IPL 2025 runner-ups don’t have much cash to spend in the mini auction. However, they still need a top-notch overseas batter to help their domestic core and bring unpredictability to the squad. Meanwhile, the current structure of the Punjab Kings is perfect enough to lead them toward next season’s trophy. 9. Kolkata Knight Riders have a lot to do with their massive purse With a massive ₹64.3 crore to flaunt at the IPL mini auction, Kolkata Knight Riders have a lot more to consider for next month. They will go in search of a wicketkeeper as well as an opening batter, since they have released Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Meanwhile, the ouster of Venkatesh Iyer and Andre Russell will also push them for a quality all-rounder. There is an even chance that the Knight Riders might go for Russell at a much lower price at the mini-auction. Overall, they have 13 spots left in the squad with space for six overseas players. 10. Gujarat Titans eye a quality finisher With ₹12.9 crore in the purse and five slots remaining, including four overseas players, the Gujarat Titans might require a finisher. The reason is being the team has traded Sherfane Rutherford. They could also look at adding at least one all-rounder to the mix with the amount that they have left to spend.