IPL 2026 Trade buzz is heating up as the mini-auction (December 13–15, 2025) and player retention deadline (November 15, 2025) draw near. With the trade window open until a week before the auction, franchises are actively exploring player swaps, cash deals, and releases to reshape their squads under the ₹151 crore salary cap. Below is a refined roundup of the top trade rumors across all 10 IPL teams, based on recent reports and trending X (Twitter) chatter. All updates are unconfirmed and remain purely speculative for now.
Trade Window Open Until: December 6, 2025
Auction Dates: December 13–15, 2025
Salary Cap: ₹151 crore
All rumors are unconfirmed and based on early reports and X (Twitter)
IPL 2026 Trade Rumors Lists
| Rumor Player | From | To | Trade Type | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanju Samson | RR | CSK | Cash Deal | High |
| KL Rahul | DC | KKR / CSK | Cash + Player | Medium |
| Liam Livingstone | RCB | MI / LSG | Trade / Release | Medium |
| Devon Conway | CSK | GT | Swap (all-rounders like Sundar/Tewatia) | Low–Medium |
| Ishan Kishan | MI | CSK / DC | Trade | Low |
| Washington Sundar | GT | CSK | Trade / Swap | Almost confirm |
| Venkatesh Iyer | KKR | DC / PBKS | Trade | Low–Medium |
| Shardul Thakur | LSG | CSK/SRH | Trade | Low-Medium |
| Nicholas Pooran | LSG | MI / SRH | Trade Talk | Low |
| Kamindu Mendis | SRH | GT | Auction / Trade Target | Medium |
| Arshdeep Singh | PBKS | MI / DC | Trade Talk | Low |
| Shahrukh Khan | GT | PBKS | Trade/Auction Target | Low–Medium |
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Sanju Samson (from Rajasthan Royals):
Rumored trade request to join CSK as MS Dhoni’s long-term successor. Reports suggest a possible ₹18 crore swap deal involving Ravindra Jadeja.
Likelihood: 🔥 High — strongest X buzz of the season.
- Devon Conway → Gujarat Titans:
CSK could trade Conway in exchange for an Indian all-rounder such as Washington Sundar or Rahul Tewatia to balance their XI.
Likelihood: ⚖️ Low–Medium — depends on keeper strategy. - KL Rahul (from Delhi Capitals):
CSK may target Rahul for top-order depth and leadership backup if other deals fall through.
Likelihood: ⚡ Medium
Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Liam Livingstone (from RCB):
MI are exploring options to acquire Livingstone’s explosive middle-order power through a cash or player swap deal.
Likelihood: ⚡ Medium — aligns with MI’s aggressive batting template. - Ishan Kishan (from SRH):
Some chatter links Kishan to MI or DC as SRH look to refresh their top order.
Likelihood: ⚖️ Low — trade depends on MI’s purse flexibility.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Liam Livingstone to MI or Lucknow Super Giants: RCB’s 2025 struggles may see Livingstone traded to free up funds. Likelihood: Medium—rebuild in focus.ely.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
- KL Rahul to Kolkata Knight Riders or CSK: Rahul’s underwhelming 2025 prompts trade talks, with DC seeking cash or players like Venkatesh Iyer. Likelihood: Medium—strong speculation.
- Ishan Kishan (from SRH): DC wants a dynamic keeper-batter to replace Rahul. Likelihood: Low—hinges on SRH’s moves.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- KL Rahul (from Delhi Capitals): KKR seeks Rahul as captain and opener in a cash-plus-player deal. Likelihood: Medium—top-order fix needed.
- Venkatesh Iyer to DC or Punjab Kings: Iyer’s all-round skills could be traded to fund big buys. Likelihood: Low—versatility valued.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
- Devon Conway (from CSK): GT targets Conway’s top-order stability, offering all-rounders like Sundar or Tewatia. Likelihood: Low-to-medium—early talks.
- Kamindu Mendis (from SRH): Mendis’ unique spin and batting make him a trade or auction target. Likelihood: Medium—fits GT’s spin strategy.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
- Liam Livingstone (from RCB): LSG eyes middle-order firepower.
- Likelihood: Medium—rebuild priority.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
- Ishan Kishan to MI or Delhi Capitals: Kishan’s 2025 form dip sparks trade talks to free up MI’s purse. Likelihood: Low—MI values his Indian core.
- Kamindu Mendis (to GT): SRH may offload Mendis for better balance in their overseas mix.
Likelihood: ⚡ Medium
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Sanju Samson to CSK: The franchise’s biggest rumor yet — Samson reportedly open to joining CSK, with Jadeja possibly moving the other way.
- Likelihood: High—top X rumor..
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Venkatesh Iyer (from KKR):
PBKS keen to acquire Iyer or a similar Indian all-rounder to stabilize the middle order.
Likelihood: ⚖️ Low–Medium - Arshdeep Singh trade: Pace star could draw MI or DC interest if not retained. Likelihood: Low—PBKS likely to keep him.
