What each IPL squad had already spent before the auction even started
The ten franchises kept 173 players between them before a single paddle went up in Abu Dhabi. This is what those retentions committed each club to, and what each had left of its ₹125 crore purse.
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Published 22 September 2026
01 Mumbai Indians
20 players retained ₹122.25 crore ₹8.73 crore a league match
The most committed of the ten: Mumbai Indians held 20 players for ₹122.25 crore between them — 12.3% of everything the ten clubs committed before the auction, and an average of ₹6.11 crore a player. Against a ₹125 crore purse that left about ₹2.75 crore to bid with on auction day.
Source: IPL 2026 retention lists (BCCI), via Wikipedia · as of 21 September 2026
02 Punjab Kings
21 players retained ₹113.50 crore ₹8.11 crore a league match
Second heaviest, Punjab Kings held 21 players for ₹113.50 crore between them — 11.4% of everything the ten clubs committed before the auction, and an average of ₹5.40 crore a player. Against a ₹125 crore purse that left about ₹11.50 crore to bid with on auction day.
Source: IPL 2026 retention lists (BCCI), via Wikipedia · as of 21 September 2026
03 Gujarat Titans
20 players retained ₹112.10 crore ₹8.01 crore a league match
Next, Gujarat Titans held 20 players for ₹112.10 crore between them — 11.2% of everything the ten clubs committed before the auction, and an average of ₹5.60 crore a player. Against a ₹125 crore purse that left about ₹12.90 crore to bid with on auction day.
Source: IPL 2026 retention lists (BCCI), via Wikipedia · as of 21 September 2026
04 Royal Challengers Bengaluru
17 players retained ₹108.60 crore ₹7.76 crore a league match
In the middle here, Royal Challengers Bengaluru held 17 players for ₹108.60 crore between them — 10.9% of everything the ten clubs committed before the auction, and an average of ₹6.39 crore a player. Against a ₹125 crore purse that left about ₹16.40 crore to bid with on auction day.
Source: IPL 2026 retention lists (BCCI), via Wikipedia · as of 21 September 2026
05 Rajasthan Royals
16 players retained ₹104.95 crore ₹7.50 crore a league match
Around the midpoint, Rajasthan Royals held 16 players for ₹104.95 crore between them — 10.5% of everything the ten clubs committed before the auction, and an average of ₹6.56 crore a player. Against a ₹125 crore purse that left about ₹20.05 crore to bid with on auction day.
Source: IPL 2026 retention lists (BCCI), via Wikipedia · as of 21 September 2026
06 Lucknow Super Giants
19 players retained ₹102.05 crore ₹7.29 crore a league match
Below the halfway mark, Lucknow Super Giants held 19 players for ₹102.05 crore between them — 10.2% of everything the ten clubs committed before the auction, and an average of ₹5.37 crore a player. Against a ₹125 crore purse that left about ₹22.95 crore to bid with on auction day.
Source: IPL 2026 retention lists (BCCI), via Wikipedia · as of 21 September 2026
07 Delhi Capitals
17 players retained ₹99.75 crore ₹7.12 crore a league match
Lighter again, Delhi Capitals held 17 players for ₹99.75 crore between them — 10.0% of everything the ten clubs committed before the auction, and an average of ₹5.87 crore a player. Against a ₹125 crore purse that left about ₹25.25 crore to bid with on auction day.
Source: IPL 2026 retention lists (BCCI), via Wikipedia · as of 21 September 2026
08 Sunrisers Hyderabad
15 players retained ₹99.50 crore ₹7.11 crore a league match
Near the bottom, Sunrisers Hyderabad held 15 players for ₹99.50 crore between them — 10.0% of everything the ten clubs committed before the auction, and an average of ₹6.63 crore a player. Against a ₹125 crore purse that left about ₹25.50 crore to bid with on auction day.
Source: IPL 2026 retention lists (BCCI), via Wikipedia · as of 21 September 2026
09 Chennai Super Kings
16 players retained ₹79.60 crore ₹5.69 crore a league match
Second cheapest, Chennai Super Kings held 16 players for ₹79.60 crore between them — 8.0% of everything the ten clubs committed before the auction, and an average of ₹4.97 crore a player. Against a ₹125 crore purse that left about ₹45.40 crore to bid with on auction day.
Source: IPL 2026 retention lists (BCCI), via Wikipedia · as of 21 September 2026
10 Kolkata Knight Riders
12 players retained ₹54.70 crore ₹3.91 crore a league match
Cheapest of the ten: Kolkata Knight Riders held 12 players for ₹54.70 crore between them — 5.5% of everything the ten clubs committed before the auction, and an average of ₹4.56 crore a player. Against a ₹125 crore purse that left about ₹70.30 crore to bid with on auction day.
Source: IPL 2026 retention lists (BCCI), via Wikipedia · as of 21 September 2026
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