With just days left for retention lists to be decided before the deadline of November 15, a frenzy in trade talks between franchises and players has begun. Large trade talks have set apart huge names. Important swaps seem possible that could alter team strategies for next season.

Let’s take a look at the Top 5 star names that may be traded before the IPL 2026 mini-auction.

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1. Sanju Samson — Rajasthan Royals to Delhi Capitals?

The biggest buzz in this trade window surrounds Sanju Samson, captain of the Rajasthan Royals.
Reports suggest that Delhi Capitals are aggressively pursuing a trade, possibly offering Tristan Stubbs in exchange.
Samson, who managed 285 runs in just nine matches last season, faced a dip in form.
Chennai Super Kings also showed interest, but their refusal to part with Ravindra Jadeja or Ruturaj Gaikwad ended talks.
If sealed, this move could be the blockbuster trade of the IPL 2026 window.

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2. KL Rahul — Kolkata Knight Riders’ Prime Target

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are reportedly keen to land KL Rahul from Delhi Capitals.
However, the trade seems complicated. KKR’s top assets — Rinku Singh and Angkrish Raghuvanshi — are untouchable, while veterans Russell and Narine are core to their setup.
With limited trade capital, KKR may need to rework their strategy to make this high-value move possible.

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3. Washington Sundar — Set for a CSK Homecoming?

A return to Chennai Super Kings could be on the cards for Washington Sundar, currently with Gujarat Titans.
Valued at around ₹3.2 crore, Sundar had a modest IPL 2025, scoring 133 runs and taking two wickets.
CSK management reportedly believes Sundar will thrive back in familiar conditions.
A potential swap involving Shivam Dube or Sam Curran has been discussed — making this one of the most strategic trades this season.

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4. Kuldeep Yadav — Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Dream Pick

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Pat Cummins is reportedly pushing hard to bring in Kuldeep Yadav to boost their spin attack.
But Delhi Capitals are reluctant to release the star spinner, having retained him for ₹13.25 crore after a strong 15-wicket season.
While SRH’s interest remains strong, the chances of this trade going through are slim unless a major offer surfaces.

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5. Fazalhaq Farooqi — Rajasthan Royals Likely to Release Afghan Pacer

After a disappointing season with 0 wickets in 5 matches and an economy rate of 10.00, Fazalhaq Farooqi is on the verge of release.
With Jofra Archer already in their overseas pace lineup, Rajasthan Royals are unlikely to retain another foreign fast bowler out of form.
A pre-auction trade or release seems inevitable for the Afghan left-arm pacer.

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Trade Window Heating Up Ahead of Auction

With just days left before the curtain falls on retention, IPL teams are on overdrive to mould their line-ups. From captaincy changes to clever trades, the IPL 2026 trade window sure has a few dramatic moves before we sit down to mini-auctions.

Keep watching this space for more news and updates as teams firm up on their plans and blockbuster deals take shape.