It has been over one month since the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 and the franchises have already starting preparing for the next edition of the tournament in 2026. Recently, there are also several reports coming regarding the trade of some star players with the likes of Sanju Samson, Phil Salt and Venkatesh Iyer. However, it is not confirmed whether these players will be traded by their teams or not.
In a tournament like the IPL, the franchise picks their players in the auction which takes place three-four months before the start of an IPL season every year. Before the auction takes place, the teams also retain their best players and proceed to releases others who then appear in the auction. However, apart from the auction, the players also go from one franchise to another either through cash deal or players swap after agreements between both the franchises.
What is IPL Trading Window?
The IPL trading window is for a particular period after the end of the IPL season ahead of the auction. After the auction as well, the franchises are allowed to trade players for a particular period ahead of the start of the next IPL season. A franchise can either make trade via full cash deals or player to player swaps after agreement from the other franchises. This system also helps the franchises to prepare for the IPL auction and form a squad which could be best for them.
What are the rules of IPL Trading window?
The IPL trading window usually starts one month after the end of an IPL season and stays valid a week before the start of the auction. As per the report by the Cricbuzz, the trading window for IPL 2026 started one week after the end of IPL 2025. The final of IPL 2025 took place on June 3. The trading window started at 9:00 AM (IST) and will be active till 5:30 PM (IST) on seven days before the start of IPL 2026 auction. However, the dates for the IPL 2026 auction are yet to be announced.
If a player is traded via IPL trading window, he will get the same salary as per his current contract with his current franchise.
How does IPL trade works?
For example, as Phil Salt was bought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for INR 11.50 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, he will get the same salary if he gets traded to some other franchise (like Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, etc.) ahead of IPL 2026 auction. Meanwhile, RCB will get extra INR 11.50 crore in their purse for the auction.
The players can also negotiate for a higher salary in IPL trade. However, the negotiations can only work in regards to the league fee and not the annual player contract. Apart from that, BCCI’s consent is also required for the negotiations during the IPL trade window.
FAQs
Q. When can a player be traded in IPL?
A. The IPL trading window is for a particular period after the end of the IPL season ahead of the auction. After the auction as well, the franchises are allowed to trade players for a particular period ahead of the start of the next IPL season.
Q. How does trading work in IPL?
A. A franchise can either make trade via full cash deals or player to player swaps after agreement from the other franchises. If a player is traded via IPL trading window, he will get the same salary as per his current contract with his current franchise.
