IPL 2026 Updates: Auction Date & Venue, M Shami Retained, W Sunder Not Joining CSK, KL Rahul Trade Rumors

IPL 2026 UPDATES - Auction Date & Venue | M Shami Retain | W Sunder In CSK ❌ | KL Rahul Trade ? Telegram Channel 👇 https://telegram.me/Cricket_SuperFans Instagram page 👇👇 https://instagram.com/cricketrafi Facebook page 👇👇 https://m.facebook.com/cricketrafii/ Twitter Page👇 https://twitter.com/cricketrafi #kkr #csk #ipl2026 #chennaisuperkings #kolkataknightriders #gujarattitans #ipl #klrahul #sanjusamson #delhicapitals #dc #shami #iplauction There are some big and important updates regarding the IPL 2026 auction, trades, and player releases... First, let's talk about trades. Among the most talked-about trade rumors for IPL 2026 are two in particular: Washington Sundar joining Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and KL Rahul's transfer to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) — both of these can now be considered almost over. W Sundar's chances of joining CSK are completely over, while KL Rahul's move to KKR also seems highly unlikely now. “The talk of Sundar joining CSK started a few weeks ago. Chennai Super Kings had actually explored the idea of ​​bringing Sundar into their team — especially after R. Ashwin retired from the IPL. CSK approached GT for a trade, but GT refused. Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra flatly refused the idea of ​​trading Sundar. It is understood that Nehra's decision was conveyed to CSK around the time Sundar played a brilliant unbeaten innings of 49* against Australia in Hobart. The Gujarat Titans management had already made it clear that they had no plans to release a player in whom they had invested so much. Sundar was bought by Gujarat Titans for ₹3.2 crore in the last mega auction (in Jeddah), and since then his career graph has risen sharply. Although he only played 6 IPL matches last season, he made an impact in almost every match, if not with his bowling, then with his batting. In Rahul's case, everyone felt from the beginning that this deal wouldn't happen, even though KKR was interested in acquiring KL Rahul. And when reports came out — suggesting that Sanju Samson might be traded to Delhi Capitals in exchange for Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi — the situation became a little more interesting. And when Sanju Samson joins DC, both are wicketkeepers and also openers. Although both can bat at number 3 or 4 as well. So maybe the DC team might agree to trade KL Rahul... But the question was, who would KKR give in exchange for KL Rahul? KKR is currently... They are looking for a top-level Indian wicketkeeper-batter who can also lead the team. Both Samson and Rahul fit that profile. KKR had held basic level discussions with both players, but the franchise is not in the mood to trade its premium players — like Rinku Singh or Varun Chakaravarthy. Therefore, a move to Kolkata for Rahul now seems difficult, even if Rajasthan and Delhi somehow manage to trade Samson. The situations of Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) are quite different. RR is under some pressure because Samson has made it clear to the management that he wants to move and try something new. But DC is not under any such pressure. They say they will only consider a trade if the other team offers a frontline player in return — and so far, no such offer has come. A DC source directly stated: “Why would we release our marquee player?” And the biggest point — players don't have much choice here. Whether a trade happens or not is entirely the franchise's decision. There have also been some discussions regarding Mohammed Shami, but Sunrisers Hyderabad is not in the mood to release him. According to reports, SRH received some trade offers for Shami, but they rejected them all. Now let's talk about the auction. It seems the BCCI has changed its mind regarding the IPL auction venue this time — and now there are much higher chances of the auction being held outside India. Franchises have received a hint about this. It is understood that the auction will be held in the Gulf region, as has happened before. Abu Dhabi (UAE) seems to be the strongest option, but places like Oman and Qatar are also being discussed. This decision is different from the initial plan, as the BCCI initially wanted to hold the auction in India. But now it seems that finding a suitable venue is becoming difficult, as the decided date clashes with India's festival and wedding season. It was already reported that the auction would be held around mid-December — meaning it could happen anytime in the second half of December. The BCCI will announce the official date and venue by November 15. By that day, franchises have to submit their retention and release lists for IPL 2025 (IPL 19).