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STUMP VISION NOVEMBER 21, 2025 | The Indian Eye 40

IPL 2026

Auction Heads to Abu Dhabi as

Mega Trades and Blockbuster Moves

Set the Stage for a Defining Season

With the IPL auction likely to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 15–16,

the cricketing world is bracing for one of the most dramatic pre-season buildups in

years—from superstar trades to shocking franchise shake-ups.

OUR BUREAU Thakur, who went unsold at the
2025 mega auction, joined LSG as
Abu Dhabi
Mohsin Khan’s injury replacement
he Indian Premier League is and made an immediate impact with
entering a new chapter, and six wickets in two games. But inconsis-
Tthe road to IPL 2026 is already tency and a demanding economy rate
proving as captivating as any final over meant he finished the season with 13
finish. According to league sources, wickets from 10 matches.
the IPL Governing Council is closing Now back home at MI—where
in on a deal to host this year’s auction he began his IPL career—Thakur will
in Abu Dhabi, with final confirmation look to revive his rhythm and stake a
on the venue and dates—currently set claim in the franchise’s evolving bowl-
for December 15–16—expected with- ing unit.
in days. If sealed, this will be the first The stakes are higher than ever
IPL auction held in the UAE since because IPL 2025 delivered one of the
the pandemic years, reflecting the most memorable chapters in league
league’s ambition to expand its global history. The season ended with the
footprint. moment fans had waited nearly two
But even before the bidding be- decades for—Virat Kohli finally lift-
gins, the trading window has ignited ing the IPL trophy. Royal Challengers
the off-season narrative, with seismic Bengaluru’s six-run win over Punjab
franchise moves grabbing headlines Kings in Ahmedabad was the culmi-
across India and beyond. nation of an emotional 18-year jour-
In what could be the most sen- ney for Kohli, cementing one of the
sational trade in IPL history, Rajas- IPL’s most iconic redemption arcs.
than Royals (RR) and Chennai Super The Abu Dhabi auction will ush-
Kings (CSK) are reportedly negoti- er in a new era. The Emirates has long
ating a three-player swap involving Shardul Thakur in action during the match against Kolkata Knight Riders’ in the Indian Premier been a second home for the IPL—
Sanju Samson, Ravindra Jadeja, and League 2025 (ANI Photo) with packed stadiums and strong
Sam Curran. Discussions remain at an commercial backing during the 2020–
advanced stage, with both franchises management for a change, prompting glish all-rounder remains one of the 21 seasons—and taking the auction
required to submit expressions of in- RR to explore a trade. league’s highest-valued overseas as- there underscores the league’s global
terest to the IPL Governing Council For CSK, letting go of Jadeja— sets and brings versatility CSK have ambition.
before seeking written consent from an icon of the franchise and the hero leaned on heavily in previous seasons. With mammoth trades on the
all three players. of their 2023 title win—would mark Should the deal materialise, it table, franchises undergoing resets,
For Rajasthan, this is the poten- a deep emotional and strategic shift. could reshuffle leadership cores, bat- and superstars like Kohli, Sudharsan,
tial end of an era. Samson, the face With 254 IPL matches, 143 CSK wick- ting orders and tactical identities of Jadeja and Samson shaping the nar-
of RR for over a decade, has led the ets and a history of match-winning both sides ahead of a crucial mega rative, the 2026 auction might be the
team since 2021 and is their all-time cameos, Jadeja remains one of the auction cycle. most consequential since the league’s
leading run-getter with 4,027 runs. competition’s most decorated players. The trading frenzy didn’t stop inception.
Despite his stellar 2024 season (531 Yet a reunion with RR, his debut IPL there. In a confirmed move, Shardul As the cricketing world waits for
runs at 48.27), injuries derailed his franchise from 2008, adds a poetic Thakur will don Mumbai Indians co- the final announcement, one thing is
2025 campaign and the franchise spi- twist to the story. lours again after being traded from already certain: IPL 2026 is not just a
ralled to a ninth-place finish. After the Sam Curran’s role in the trade Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for his new season—it’s a dramatic reboot of
season, Samson reportedly asked the only heightens intrigue. The En- existing fee of `2 crore. the world’s most-watched T20 league.

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