The clock is ticking for IPL 2026 mini auction. The auction which is expected between December 13 and 15, 2025, has already been announced as a major event where teams will contest fiercely for the most wanted players.
Officially the IPL Governing Council has not announced the dates but insiders say that the December window is nearly confirmed. The player retention deadline is what everyone will be looking at next, and it’s believed to be around November 15, 2025, before the auction.
This deadline gives teams a short time to make a critical evaluation of their players and their strategies, and then they can make changes by releasing and retaining players for next season. Retaining part of each team’s core players is likely but also a number of fast bowlers might be set free to come back again and then there will be bidding wars.
1. Mitchell Starc
One of the top pace bowlers, Mitchell Starc might again take the discussions by storm. The left-arm fast bowler from Australia who was acquired for a huge 11.75 crore by Delhi Capitals in the auction for 2025 might be released due to a mixed season in 2025.
In the IPL 2025, he participated in 11 matches and took 14 wickets which is a good performance but maybe not enough to cover his expensive price. Nevertheless, teams are well aware of what Starc can do and during his past performances, he has only shown speed and impressive swing.
Starc’s IPL career stats are a strong argument in his favor: in only 49 innings, he has taken 65 wickets with an average of 8.61 runs given per over. And let’s not forget, Starc played a crucial role in KKR’s title-winning campaign 2024 where he took 17 wickets.
Starc’s 35 years do mean he is not the fiery young star he once was, but his capacity to come through in critical situations makes him a priceless asset. It is likely teams like MI, SRH or PBKS that are in need of an experienced bowling attack chief may easily get into a bidding war over Starc.
2. Mayank Yadav
Though Starc stands for experience, Mayank Yadav is the symbol of unprocessed speed and vibrancy. The fast bowler from India had the audience on their feet when one after another, he was in the list of fastest bowlers in the country, consistently running over 150 kmph and thus taking the title of one of the fastest bowlers in the country.
Moreover, before the 2025 season, the Lucknow Super Giants retained him for ₹11 crore, but his run was interrupted due to injury. After appearing in just four games, he could not play anymore despite having taken 7 wickets with a wonderful economy of 6.98.
However, the young fast bowler made his presence felt immediately by being awarded the Player of the Match twice in his first two IPL outings.
Mainly, his speed and capacity for both ways moving the ball give him the power of making batters go crazy, and he is not going to be released by LSG if they have any doubts regarding his fitness or want to raise funds.
KKR, SRH, and KKR are the teams who might just go all out for him. In simple terms, if he is fit and available, Mayank Yadav is the one who would turn out to be the most costly uncapped player at the IPL 2026 auction easily.
3. T. Natarajan
The other name that causes thrills is T. Natarajan, the left-arm death-bowling specialist from Tamil Nadu. His presence was barely felt in IPL 2025 as he played in only two matches, but still, his status as one of the best yorkers bowlers in India is safe.
He has taken 67 wickets in 63 innings across his IPL career with an economy rate of 8.94. The reason he is in demand has been his performance under pressure, he has been responsible for getting 43 wickets in the death overs, although his economy is slightly high at 10.11, which is quite reasonable as the scoring rates have been really high in IPL seasons during the past few years.
Natarajan is known for his accuracy and versatility with his deliveries, Natarajan can slot right into any bowling attack. The teams who do not have a left-arm quickie would find him as the perfect fit for their pace unit.
If released, his mix of experience can be handy at the death.
