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The IPL 2026 auction is likely to take place around mid-December (December 13-December 15), according to various media reports. While the last two auctions were held outside the country (Dubai and Jeddah respectively), this year's event might be held in India. Meanwhile, November 15 has been set as the deadline for all 10 franchises to confirm their retentions ahead of the auction.The upcoming IPL auction will be a mini-auction. The teams have thus been allowed to retain as many players as they want. There is no cap on retentions. However, the squad size cannot exceed 25 players. While there has been no official announcement over IPL 2026 auctions, there has been plenty of buzz around possible trades and retentions.Ahead of the November 15 retention deadline, we give you a glimpse of all the chatter in the build-up to the IPL 2026 auction.CSK, RR in talks over possible Ravindra Jadeja-Sanju Samson trade deal: ReportsRajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson has been a big talking point in IPL circles over the last couple of months. Multiple reports have claimed that he wants to move on from RR. As per a recent report in Cricbuzz, Chennai Super Kings and RR are exploring the possibility of a Ravindra Jadeja-Samson trade deal.Both Samson and Jadeja are ₹18 crore players, which means a straight swap could be possible. However, according to the report, RR want not just Jadeja, but rising Proteas star Dewald Brevis as well as part of the exchange deal, something which CSK are unlikely to agree upon.Samson had an injury-hit IPL 2025 season for RR. In nine innings, he scored 285 runs at an average of 35.62 and a strike rate of 140.39, with just one 50-plus score. As for Jadeja, he scored 301 runs for CSK in 14 innings at a strike rate of 135.58 and claimed 10 wickets at an economy rate of 8.56. Brevis played six innings for CSK, scoring 225 runs at a strike rate of 180.MS Dhoni likely to play IPL 2026In some potentially great news for MS Dhoni fans, the Team India and CSK legend is likely to be part of IPL 2026. Speaking to his grandson Noah in Provoke Lifestyle magazine, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan responded to a query on the Indian great's IPL future and commented:“No, he is not retiring for this IPL.”Asked if he has any idea about Dhoni's retirement plays, Viswanathan had said:“I’ll check with him and let you know.”At a recent event, Dhoni had shared his thoughts on his cricketing future. In his inimitable style, he kept everyone guessing and told Harsha Bhogle:“Well, it depends. Again, I would say the same thing - I have four or five months to decide. You know, there’s no hurry to decide what is to be done. I’m not saying I’m done; I’m not saying I’m coming back at the same time."After Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out of IPL 2025 early in the edition, Dhoni took over the reins of CSK. The franchise finished last, with four wins and 10 losses.SRH pondering on releasing Heinrich Klaasen?Heinrich Klaasen has been one of SRH's key players in the IPL over the last 2-3 seasons. However, according to a report in the Times of India a few days back, the franchise might be pondering on releasing him to free up ₹23 crore. According to former India opener Aakash Chopra, though, this is unlikely to happen. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he termed the reports as rumors.Klaasen has played 42 matches for SRH between 2023 and 2025, scoring 1,414 runs at an average of 44.18 and a strike rate of 173.49. The South Africa batter's stats include two hundreds and seven half-centuries.Buzz around Rahul, Sundar trades die downTill a few days back, there were rumors that Delhi Capitals (DC) star KL Rahul and Gujarat Titans (GT) Washington Sundar could be traded ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Sundar reportedly emerged as a promising prospect for CSK following Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement, while Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were said to have expressed interest in star keeper-batter Rahul.As per a report in Cricbuzz, though, neither of the two possible deals are likely to take place. The report claimed that GT don't want to part ways with Sundar, having invested heavily in him. As for DC, they were apparently not happy with the choices offered to them in exchange for Rahul.
