Abu Dhabi: The Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set for its 19th edition, scheduled to begin in the third week of March 2026 and conclude in the last week of May. The IPL 2026 mini-auction will be held on December 17 in Abu Dhabi.
However, the upcoming season will be without several legendary names who have shaped the league for years. Some have officially retired, while others have chosen to participate in different leagues or opted out of the auction.
1. Glenn Maxwell
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has confirmed that he will not be part of IPL 2026. In an Instagram post on December 2, Maxwell announced that he would not register for the mini-auction.
Across his IPL career with four teams, he played 141 matches, scoring 2819 runs and taking 41 wickets, cementing his reputation as one of the league’s most explosive entertainers.
2. Faf du Plessis
Veteran South African batter Faf du Plessis will also miss the upcoming edition. Instead of returning to the IPL, he has chosen to participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026.
During his time in the IPL, Faf played 154 matches for RPSG, CSK, RCB, and DC, accumulating 4773 runs and becoming one of the competition’s most consistent performers.
3. Andre Russell
West Indies powerhouse Andre Russell announced his retirement from IPL on November 30 after not being retained by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Russell will join KKR’s support staff in 2026. As a player, he featured in 140 matches for KKR and DC, scoring 2651 runs and taking 123 wickets, widely considered one of the greatest all-rounders the league has ever seen.
4. Moeen Ali
Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has decided to skip IPL 2026 after being released by KKR. Instead, he plans to play in the PSL next year.
Moeen has played 73 IPL matches for RCB, CSK, and KKR, scoring 1167 runs, claiming 41 wickets, and winning two IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings in 2021 and 2023.
5. Ravichandran Ashwin
Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin will also be absent in IPL 2026, having retired from the tournament in August 2025.
Ashwin played 221 matches across five franchises — CSK, RPSG, PBKS, DC, and RR — taking 187 wickets and scoring 833 runs. He remains one of the most successful and respected bowlers in IPL history.
