Since the IPL 2026 Auction just concluded on December 16, 2025, here are the key details you need for your "Team List" blog post.
.jpg "2026 Auction / Team List")
Based on the auction results and major pre-auction trades, here is a breakdown of the updated squads and the biggest storylines to feature in your article.
The "Headline" Trades & Moves (Crucial for your Intro)
The 2026 season shake-up was defined by massive trades before the auction even started.
The Homecoming: Ravindra Jadeja has been traded to Rajasthan Royals (RR), returning to the franchise where he started his IPL career.
The Captaincy Swap? Sanju Samson has moved to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a shock trade, likely groomed as the successor to MS Dhoni or a key lieutenant to Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Pace Power: Mohammed Shami has been traded to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), joining Rishabh Pant (who moved to LSG in the 2025 cycle).
MI Reinforcement: Shardul Thakur has been traded to Mumbai Indians (MI).
Team-by-Team Squad Highlights (For your "Team List" Section)
You can copy-paste these lists to form the core of your blog post.
1. Chennai Superstar Kings (CSK)
Key Incoming: Sanju Samson (Traded from RR).
Retained Core: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Shivani Dube, MS Dhoni, Khaleel Ahmed.
The Story: CSK has refreshed its batting spine by adding Samson. With Conway released earlier, Samson likely takes the gloves or plays as a pure specialist batter alongside Ruturaj.
2. Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Key Incoming: Ravindra Jadeja (Traded from CSK), Sam Curran (Traded from PBKS/CSK).
Retained Core: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Sandeep Sharma.
The Story: RR has gone "all-in" on Indian all-rounders. A spin trio of Jadeja, Parag, and Yuzvendra Chahal (if bought back/RTM'd) creates a fortress at Jaipur.
3. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Key Departure: Andre Russell (Released - End of an Era).
Retained Core: Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh.
The Story: KKR entered the auction with the largest purse (₹64.3 Cr) after releasing big names like Venkatesh Iyer and Russell. They are rebuilding a new "Bomb Squad" around Rinku Singh.
4. Mumbai Indians (MI)
Key Incoming: Shardul Thakur, Sherfane Rutherford.
Retained Core: Hardik Pandya (C), Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma.
The Story: The most stable core in the league. Adding Shardul Thakur gives them the Indian pace-bowling all-rounder they desperately needed to balance the Hardik/Bumrah combo.
5. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Key Incoming: Mohammed Shami.
Retained Core: Rishabh Pant (C), Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi.
The Story: LSG is building a "Team India" fast-bowling unit. A pace attack of Shami + Mayank Yadav (if fit) is terrifying.
6. Delhi Capitals (DC)
Key Buys (Auction): David Miller (₹2 Cr), Ben Duckett (₹2 Cr).
Retained Core: KL Rahul (C), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Abhishek Porel.
The Story: DC used the auction to pick up experienced overseas batters (Miller/Duckett) at bargain prices to support KL Rahul.
Suggested "Blog Post " Structure
Title: IPL 2026 Squad Analysis: Samson to CSK, Jadeja Returns to Royals, and the End of Russell's KKR Era
.jpg "2026 Auction / Team List")
The "Blockbuster" Trades (200 Words): Analyze the Samson-Jadeja swap. Who won this trade? (Opinion: CSK gets a captaincy option; RR gets a match-winner on turning tracks).
The Auction Steals (200 Words): Highlight DC picking up David Miller for just ₹2 Cr—a massive bargain for a finisher of his quality.
Team-by-Team Analysis (500 Words): Use the lists above. Focus on KKR's bold strategy of releasing Russell to clear purse space.
Prediction (100 Words): With Shami and Pant together at LSG, are they the early favorites for the 2026 title?
Would you like me to write the "Analysis" paragraph for the Sanju Samson to CSK trade to help you get started?
