IPL 2026: These 5 Players Might Retire

A hurdle of speculations mounts around the upcoming IPL 2026; plenty of cricket fans and pundits are already throwing their speculations about the retirement of some big names in the world of cricket.

Some senior players, like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, might call it quits on their careers after IPL 2026, and this is what speculations of Winexch say too. While retirement is absolutely a personal choice, a handful of senior stars are already being discussed to leave the stage after the tournament.

Due to age, workload, or shifting priorities, there are plenty of reasons why some players might be wandering around the thoughts of retirement. We have accumulated a top 5 players list who might be planning to pull something out.

Top Players to Be Retired After IPL 2026

MS Dhoni

No discussion on retirement is ever considered complete without MS Dhoni. And at 44 (and approaching midway through the 40s), Dhoni has gone from a dynamic match-winner for Chennai Super Kings to a finisher and presence of mind. He’s likely to need 6-8 months after IPL 2025 to see whether his body can now stand the demands of elite T20 cricket.

CSK’s Supposed Schedule of Rotation: As per a report, CSK’s management is planning a revamp before the mega auction ahead of IPL 2026, which means that quite a few senior players are going to be released in order that funds may be freed for the grand finale. 

That might leave Dhoni with a difficult decision: to carry on at all costs or bow out in grace. Although the CEO of CSK has expressed at times that he could play till 2026, Dhoni himself openly conceded that he is in the “last phase” of his playing career.

With a legacy like that to his name, if at all Dhoni hangs up his boots post IPL 2026, it would be a monumental moment not only on the emotional front for fans but also from the business side of things, which platforms like Winexchange will surely keenly follow.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma, who is approaching 39, has already given up T20 leadership at the international level, and some reckon his tenure as an IPL leader could also be close to its conclusion. “He’s still a quality opening batter, but has been physically beaten up by the non-stop scheduling, and I don’t think enough of the current crop (of teammates) understand him.

The former Australian captain Michael Clarke has spoken of his hope that Rohit will still be playing in 2026, but, with rumours juicing the air here, there is a strong argument for this being his final act in the IPL. Also, as retention reports suggest, even the Mumbai Indians are set to make some hard decisions ahead of the 2026 mega auction.

Faf du Plessis

Another name who’s sparking retirement talk is one of IPL’s most consistent batters in history, Faf du Plessis. His form in recent years has slipped; he scored just 202 runs playing nine matches in the 2025 season, according to analysis.

More significantly, the Delhi Capitals could release him before the 2026 mini-auction. Should he go unsold or be released by franchises, Faf might well bring curtains down on what has been a long and successful IPL career.

Andre Russell

The dynamite all-rounder, Andre Russell, has enchanted the IPL crowd over the years with his power-hitting and useful bowling. But his body is paying the cost: injury concerns have long hung over him, and his workload continues to be a matter of discussion. He has been reported to have been released by his current franchise in the lead-up to the IPL 2026 auction.

If Russell drops off in form or his body can’t take it any longer, 2026 is a nice round number. For a player whose impact has been frequently assessed in terms of unexpected boom-or-bust bursts, the fitness in later years, no matter how taxing that may become upon his prospective new hips and knees, could well force him to hang them up.

Virat Kohli

Though not as battered by age as some of the others on this list, Virat Kohli is in transition. For one who has ticked every personal box in the contest and also celebrated by winning the once elusive IPL trophy with RCB, there is a belief that Kohli might choose a less hectic schedule.

Kohli has taken breaks from some formats internationally, and, while his fitness still rates as elite, his motivation or long-term priorities could change. Rather than a decline in form, his retirement could be a deliberate choice: to focus more on ODIs, mentorship, or even leadership roles off the field. If that happens around or after IPL 2026, it will symbolically mark the closing of an era for modern Indian cricket.

Conclusion

We are hoping that these retirements wouldn’t materialise after IPL 2026, as the world is not ready to lose such talents, whose names are deeply woven into everyone’s heart, not to mention tournaments. 

Online entertainment sites like Winexchange, which thrive on player performance and audience sentiment, would closely monitor how these departures shift dynamics on the ground and in the market.

FAQ

1. Are these retirements confirmed?

Again, this is not firm info but an educated guess based on reports, age, recent form and who the team wants to keep at what price. None of the players has openly announced retirement post IPL 2026.

2. Why all the fuss about 2026 in particular?

The IPL 2026 season is after a mini-auction, so it makes sense for teams to replenish their stock. Franchises have fired certain senior players, which creates speculation that some of them may not return.

3. What could be next for these players if they retire?

Possible paths include coaching roles, mentoring younger players, commentary, or even franchise ownership. Some may continue playing in other T20 leagues, while others may shift toward off-field roles.

4. Why does Winexch care about these retirements?

For platforms like Winexch, the departure of marquee players can influence fan engagement. Retirements of big names could reshape popularity and user behaviour.