5 big IPL stars who might be released before the 2026 auction

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 approaches its final stages, and the race for the prestigious trophy is under full force. With four teams having already secured their spots in the playoffs, the focus will now shift to the final push for victory. The 18th edition of the IPL has been a stage for young cricketers to shine and several emerging talents have made a name for themselves on the global stage.

But, not all seasoned players lived up to expectations this season. Some big stars struggled to deliver consistent performances and failed to justify their presence in the squad. As a result, these players may find themselves released by their respective franchises and enter the mini-auction ahead of the IPL 2026 season. In no particular order, let us take a look at five big names who might be released before the IPL 2026 mini-auction.

5 big stars who might be released ahead of IPL 2026 auction

5. Glenn Maxwell

The Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been a prominent name in the IPL and is known for his explosive batting. But, the 2025 season was very poor from his end. He was bought by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for INR 4.20 crore, and failed to make an impact with either bat or ball.

In the seven matches he played, the right-handed batter managed to score only 48 runs and picked up just four wickets. He also had a poor season last year so much so that he dropped himself while playing for RCB. Due to his underwhelming performance, Maxwell might be among the players released ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.

Also Check: ‘They are here to enjoy, not to win’ – Sehwag slams Maxwell, Livingstone for poor IPL 2025 show