IPL 2026: 3 Players Who Retired After Going Unsold or Being Released

With the IPL auction fast approaching, all franchises are currently evaluating their rosters in preparation for the upcoming season of IPL. The franchises have released their retention of retained players prior to the auction where some very prominent names who have been the face of the franchise for many years have surprisingly been released. This has not happened for the first time; in the past some high-profile players who have previously been associated with their franchise have been released or went unsold at the auction. Some even ended their careers after either being released or not receiving any bids. Here are five high-profile players whose careers ended in this manner.

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Kieron Pollard Allrounder

Kieron Pollard had a batting average of 11.

Kieron Pollard, one of the biggest names in IPL history, retired from the league on November 15, 2022. Mumbai Indians bought him in the 2009 auction. After retiring, he became Mumbai Indians’ batting coach and also captains MI Emirates in the ILT20. Pollard is the only West Indies cricketer to have played 100 T20Is and is second on the list for most sixes in T20 cricket (234). He has been Mumbai Indians’ batting coach since 2023, helping nurture young talent while transitioning away from active play.

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Kane Williamson Batter

Kane Williamson, known as the Hurricane, is a New Zealand cricketer who has achieved numerous records and accolades in his career.

Kane Williamson retired from T20 internationals on November 1, 2025, after months of speculation about his future. The 35-year-old played 93 T20Is for New Zealand since his debut in 2011. In the IPL, he scored 2,128 runs, and his best season was in 2018 when he made 735 runs in 17 matches. He was not picked in the IPL 2025 mega-auction and has now been appointed as Lucknow Super Giants’ strategic advisor. Williamson opted not to register for the mini-auction, marking the end of his IPL playing days.

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Mohit Sharma Batsman

Mohit Sharma retired from all forms of cricket on December 3, 2025. Delhi Capitals had released him before the IPL 2026 mini-auction after a poor IPL 2025 season, where he took only two wickets in eight matches. His career lasted almost 14 years. Mohit started his T20 career in the IPL with Chennai Super Kings and played for India in 26 ODIs and eight T20Is between 2013 and 2015, taking a total of 37 wickets. Mohit initially started as a new-ball bowler for CSK, but later reinvented himself as a death-overs specialist. His late-career resurgence came with Gujarat Titans in 2023, where he picked up 27 wickets. After a relatively average IPL 2025 season, he was not retained by DC and decided to call time on his playing career across different formats of the game.

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3 star players who can go unsold at IPL 2026 auction Cameron Green, Ravi Bishnoi, and Venkatesh Iyer are expected to be among the most wanted players at the IPL 2026 auction.

by Shekhar December 6, 2025