Introduction
IPL 2026 lost some of its biggest names before a single ball was bowled. Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali skipped the mini-auction. Andre Russell retired from the league. A last-minute BCCI directive removed a ₹9.2 crore signing from a squad. Injuries then thinned the pace departments of several franchises.
“Withdrawn from IPL 2026” covers several different situations, so this guide sorts them into four groups:
- Players who withdrew from the auction by choice
- Players who were released or removed from a squad
- Players ruled out through injury
- Players who were unavailable for the start of the season
Each section gives the reason, the franchise impact and the replacement, where one was named.
Why IPL 2026 Saw So Many Exits
The 19th edition had unusual pressures behind it. The mini-auction (not a mega auction) meant squads were mostly set, so each withdrawal hit harder. The new Pakistan Super League window also gave overseas veterans an attractive alternative. And a major ICC T20 World Cup just before the IPL meant players arrived carrying workload and injury risk.
Geopolitics added another layer, as the Mustafizur Rahman case below shows.
Part 1: Players Who Withdrew From the IPL 2026 Auction
1. Glenn Maxwell (Australia)
Maxwell was the biggest name to pull out. He confirmed he would not enter the IPL 2026 auction, citing personal reasons, though he said he hoped to return in the future. Punjab Kings had released him after a poor batting season.
His statement was warm and reflective. He said he made the decision with a lot of gratitude for everything the league had given him. Over 13 seasons he played 141 matches for four franchises, scoring 2,819 runs at a strike rate of 155.14 and taking 41 wickets. He has not officially announced his retirement, but skipping the auction at 37 makes a comeback unlikely.
2. Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
Du Plessis chose a different league. He decided to skip the IPL for the first time in 14 years and play in PSL 2026 instead. He had played for Delhi Capitals the previous season, and they released him. He won the IPL twice with Chennai Super Kings, in 2018 and 2021.
3. Moeen Ali (England)
Moeen Ali opted out of the 2026 IPL season to join the PSL, following a similar move by du Plessis. A two-time CSK champion, he had been released by Kolkata Knight Riders. His exit reflects a wider trend of veteran overseas players using the PSL as a lower-pressure option.
4. Andre Russell (West Indies), a retirement rather than a withdrawal
Russell did not skip an auction; he retired from the league entirely. After 12 seasons with Kolkata Knight Riders, he announced his IPL retirement. He joined KKR’s backroom staff ahead of the 2026 season. It is a retirement, not a withdrawal, but it belongs in any list of marquee names missing from the field.
5. The nine names removed from the auction list
There were also administrative removals. Nine players, six Indian and three overseas, who had been added late on December 9 were removed from the mini-auction list before December 16. The BCCI had already cut the pool from 1,390 players to 350, including 35 wild-card additions.
Part 2: Released or Removed From a Squad
6. Mustafizur Rahman (Kolkata Knight Riders)
This was the most controversial case of the cycle, and it needs careful wording. Mustafizur did not withdraw by choice. KKR confirmed he was released after the BCCI instructed the franchise to do so, with the board allowing a replacement in line with IPL regulations.
KKR had bought him for ₹9.20 crore at the December mini-auction, making him the highest-paid Bangladeshi cricketer in IPL history. His unavailability was linked to diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal later called the exclusion “unfortunate,” citing geopolitical tensions. Mustafizur then joined Lahore Qalandars for PSL 2026.
Replacement: KKR named Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani.
Part 3: Players Ruled Out Through Injury
Injuries were the largest category. The build-up to the tournament was overshadowed by a growing injury list, with the season starting on March 28.
7. Harshit Rana (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Harshit Rana was ruled out of IPL 2026 with a knee injury sustained during T20 World Cup warm-ups. For KKR, it was a heavy blow to a pace attack already short of options.
Replacement: Navdeep Saini replaced him.
8. Akash Deep (Kolkata Knight Riders)
KKR’s pace problems deepened. Akash Deep was ruled out with a lower back stress reaction that sidelined him for up to 12 weeks. Saurabh Dubey joined the KKR squad as his replacement.
9. Nathan Ellis (Chennai Super Kings)
Ellis was ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring issue, weakening CSK at the death. Spencer Johnson came in as his replacement.
10. Sam Curran (Rajasthan Royals)
The England all-rounder missed the season. He picked up a groin issue before the tournament, and Dasun Shanaka replaced him. Curran’s presence mattered for Rajasthan’s balance, since he offered batting depth plus death bowling.
11. Jack Edwards (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Edwards was listed as ruled out for the season. David Payne replaced him.
12. Prithviraj Yarra (Gujarat Titans)
A lower-profile exit, but still a squad change. Kulwant Khejroliya replaced Prithviraj Yarra at Gujarat Titans.
13. Other injury concerns
Some players were listed as returning later rather than being ruled out entirely. These included Pat Cummins, who was to miss the initial matches, and Josh Hazlewood, who was to miss the initial phase. Lockie Ferguson was unavailable initially, Mitchell Starc was to miss the start, and Matheesha Pathirana was injured with an uncertain return. These are delays, not withdrawals, but they shaped early-season selection.
Summary Table: IPL 2026 Withdrawals and Replacements
| Player | Team | Category | Reason | Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Maxwell | Released by PBKS | Auction opt-out | Personal reasons | None (not signed) |
| Faf du Plessis | Released by DC | Auction opt-out | Chose PSL | None |
| Moeen Ali | Released by KKR | Auction opt-out | Chose PSL | None |
| Andre Russell | Released by KKR | Retirement | Moved to coaching | None |
| Mustafizur Rahman | KKR | Removed by BCCI directive | Geopolitical situation | Blessing Muzarabani |
| Harshit Rana | KKR | Injury | Knee injury | Navdeep Saini |
| Akash Deep | KKR | Injury | Back stress reaction | Saurabh Dubey |
| Nathan Ellis | CSK | Injury | Hamstring | Spencer Johnson |
| Sam Curran | RR | Injury | Groin | Dasun Shanaka |
| Jack Edwards | SRH | Injury | Injury | David Payne |
| Prithviraj Yarra | GT | Replacement | Not detailed | Kulwant Khejroliya |
Which Franchise Was Hit Hardest?
Kolkata Knight Riders
KKR had by far the toughest build-up. They lost Mustafizur, Harshit Rana and Akash Deep, while Pathirana’s fitness was uncertain. Russell had retired, Moeen had gone to the PSL, and the squad’s bowling plan needed to be rewritten. The team’s pace unit, once a strength, became the central concern.
Chennai Super Kings
Losing Nathan Ellis removed their death-overs specialist. Spencer Johnson is a quality left-arm option, but replacing a bowler who has already bonded with the group is never seamless.
Rajasthan Royals
Curran’s absence cost the team an all-rounder in a format where balance wins games. Shanaka offers hitting power and handy overs, though not the same left-arm swing.
Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals
SRH had to manage Cummins’ delayed start along with Edwards’ absence. Delhi, meanwhile, managed without both du Plessis and Starc at the outset.
The Bigger Picture: What These Withdrawals Reveal
1. The PSL is now a real alternative
Du Plessis and Moeen Ali choosing the PSL is a significant shift. Players who once saw the IPL as unmissable are now weighing playing conditions, workload and family commitments. With the PSL moving into what was described as a “new era,” expect this conversation to continue.
2. Veteran overseas stars are choosing exits on their own terms
Maxwell’s gracious farewell, Russell’s coaching move and du Plessis’s PSL switch point to a generation consciously deciding when to step back instead of waiting to go unsold.
3. Geopolitics can reach the dressing room
The Mustafizur Rahman case showed that squad decisions can be shaped by forces far beyond cricket. Franchises now have to think about contingency options for overseas signings, especially from neighboring countries.
4. Fast bowlers remain the biggest injury risk
Rana, Akash Deep, Ellis, Ferguson (initially unavailable) and Pathirana (uncertain) are all pacers. A pre-tournament World Cup compounded the load. Franchises that invested in pace depth were better protected.
5. Depth beats star power
With a mini-auction leaving little room to maneuver, replacements became crucial. Teams with strong domestic benches and flexible overseas options coped better than those relying on a handful of names.
Tips for Fans and Fantasy Players
- Don’t trust the squad list alone. Check the confirmed playing XI before locking in fantasy teams.
- Track replacement announcements. They usually reveal a franchise’s tactical plan.
- Remember delayed starts versus full exits. Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc were listed as missing the start, not the whole season.
- Verify before sharing. Early reports often change, and some blog lists mix up details from previous seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which big players withdrew from the IPL 2026 auction?
Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali opted out. Andre Russell retired from the league.
Why did Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali skip the IPL?
Both chose to play in the Pakistan Super League instead.
Did Mustafizur Rahman withdraw from IPL 2026?
Not by choice. KKR released him after the BCCI instructed the franchise to do so, and he was replaced by Blessing Muzarabani.
Who replaced Harshit Rana at KKR?
Navdeep Saini.
Who replaced Nathan Ellis at CSK?
Spencer Johnson.
Who replaced Sam Curran at Rajasthan Royals?
Dasun Shanaka.
Is Glenn Maxwell retired from the IPL?
He has not formally announced retirement, but he said he hoped to return someday while declining to register for the auction.
Conclusion
The IPL 2026 withdrawal list is a mix of retirements, league switches, injuries and one politically driven removal. Maxwell, du Plessis and Moeen Ali leave a gap in experience. Harshit Rana, Akash Deep and Nathan Ellis leave gaps in pace. And Mustafizur Rahman’s release is a reminder that cricket’s biggest league does not operate in isolation.
For franchises, the lesson is simple: build depth, plan for pace injuries and keep replacement options ready. For fans, it shows how much happens before the first match, and why the squad you see in December rarely resembles the one that takes the field in March.