Rishabh Pant released, Ajinkya Rahane retained! 27 players receive clear verdict

The High-Stakes Calculus Ahead of the Next IPL Cycle

The ongoing IPL 2026 season has kept fans on the edge of their seats, but for the majority of the franchises, the focus has already shifted to future planning. With only a few matches remaining before the tournament reaches its conclusion, six out of the ten teams have already been eliminated from the title race. This season has been a highly volatile one for several marquee players, with established stars like Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Ajinkya Rahane, and Ruturaj Gaikwad struggling to find consistent rhythm on the field.

With massive squad overhauls, retention announcements, and player releases on the horizon ahead of the 2027 season, team managements face incredibly tough decisions. To provide a clearer picture of how franchises might navigate these challenges, former Chennai Super Kings and Team India batter Ambati Rayudu shared his expert predictions. Assessing players based on their recent performances and current price tags, Rayudu delivered a comprehensive breakdown of who should be kept and who should be released.

Ambati Rayudu’s Bold Verdict on 27 Star Players

Ahead of the highly anticipated Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026, ESPNCricinfo released an engaging video on their social media platforms featuring Ambati Rayudu. In the video, the multiple-time IPL champion was put on the spot with a list of 27 prominent players, consisting primarily of established international stars. For each name presented, Rayudu had to make a definitive call: either “retain” or “release.”

While Rayudu generally favored continuity—preferring to keep the core of most squads intact—he did not hesitate to make tough, controversial calls where he felt a change was warranted. His assessments offer a fascinating glimpse into how franchises balance a player’s historical reputation against their on-field output and salary cap implications.

The Rishabh Pant Conundrum: A INR 27 Crore Decision

The most eye-catching revelation from Rayudu’s analysis concerns Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant. Acquired for a record-breaking price tag of INR 27 crore, Pant carried immense expectations into the season. However, back-to-back quiet seasons have put his spot under intense scrutiny.

According to Ambati Rayudu, LSG should make the difficult decision to release Rishabh Pant ahead of the IPL 2027 auction. Rayudu pointed out that having such a massive portion of the salary purse tied up in a single player who has failed to deliver significant, match-winning results over consecutive seasons limits the franchise’s ability to build a balanced squad. Releasing Pant would free up vital funds, allowing LSG to restructure their roster more effectively in the auction.

Why Ajinkya Rahane and KKR’s Skipper Received ‘Retain’ Status

In contrast to his bold call on Rishabh Pant, Rayudu showed immense faith in veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane. Despite experiencing a hot-and-cold run of form, Rahane received a firm “retain” verdict from the former cricketer. Rayudu’s reasoning highlights the invaluable nature of experienced Indian batters who can anchor an innings and handle high-pressure situations, making them crucial assets even during transitional phases.

Similarly, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain, who has also struggled to find consistent form over the last two consecutive seasons, was backed by Rayudu to be retained. Despite the individual struggles of the skipper, Rayudu believes that maintaining leadership stability and keeping a proven core together is more beneficial for KKR than starting from scratch at the auction table.

The Fate of Dhoni, Rohit, and the Strategic ‘Release and Buy Back’

The list of 27 players also featured some of the most iconic names in Indian cricket history. Legends such as MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana were all analyzed in the video. For these key figures, Rayudu’s stance was clear and unwavering: they must be retained at all costs due to their immense value, both on and off the field.

However, Rayudu did introduce an interesting tactical nuance for certain high-priced players: the “release and buy back” strategy. Under this approach, franchises release expensive players back into the auction pool with the specific intention of bidding for them again, aiming to secure their services at a more realistic market value. This allows teams to retain crucial talent while optimizing their remaining purse space for other vital acquisitions.

As the curtain prepares to fall on IPL 2026, Rayudu’s predictions have sparked intense debate among fans and pundits alike. While the final decisions will ultimately rest with the franchise owners and coaching staffs behind closed doors, these expert insights highlight the ruthless, performance-driven nature of franchise cricket.