Rishabh Pant released, Ajinkya Rahane retained! 27 players receive clear verdict
The Context of IPL 2026 and the Road to the 2027 Season
The ongoing IPL 2026 season has been a rollercoaster of emotions, outstanding performances, and disappointing campaigns. With only a few matches remaining before a champion is crowned, the reality has set in for the majority of the teams. Out of the 10 franchises competing in the league, six are already out of the title race. For these teams, the focus has abruptly shifted to rebuilding, planning, and figuring out the ideal squad composition for the 2027 season.
This season has been particularly hot and cold for several of the league’s marquee players. Big-ticket superstars who usually dominate headlines struggled to find their rhythm. Players like Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Ajinkya Rahane, and Ruturaj Gaikwad faced intense scrutiny due to inconsistent performances on multiple occasions. Ahead of the next cycle, massive changes are on the horizon. Which players will be released and who will be retained remains a major talking point. To shed some light on this, former Team India batter Ambati Rayudu shared his expert predictions based on current performance and price tags.
Ambati Rayudu’s Bold Predictions on ESPNCricinfo
Ahead of the highly anticipated Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026, ESPNCricinfo shared an engaging video on their social media platforms featuring Ambati Rayudu. In the video, the former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star was put on the spot with a rapid-fire list of players. He had to deliver a definitive verdict for each name: either “release” or “retain.”
In total, Rayudu evaluated 27 international and domestic stars. While he generally leaned towards retaining players to maintain squad stability, he did not hesitate to make some ruthless calls on high-profile names. His decisions were strictly driven by a player’s recent form, consistency, and the weight of their price tag.
Rishabh Pant’s INR 27 Crore Conundrum
The biggest talking point from Rayudu’s assessment was undoubtedly his verdict on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper Rishabh Pant. Pant was acquired for a staggering price tag of INR 27 crore, making him one of the most expensive players in the tournament’s history. However, his on-field output has failed to match the astronomical investment.
According to Ambati Rayudu, Pant has failed to produce any significant results in back-to-back seasons. Captaining a high-profile franchise like LSG comes with immense pressure, and when a player occupying such a massive chunk of the salary cap underperforms, it cripples the team’s overall flexibility. Consequently, Rayudu gave a clear “release” verdict for the explosive wicketkeeper-batter ahead of the IPL 2027 players’ auction.
Why Ajinkya Rahane and Others Deserve a Retained Verdict
While Rishabh Pant faced the chopping block in Rayudu’s predictions, veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane received a vote of confidence. Despite having a quiet season where he struggled to find consistent rhythm, Rayudu believes Rahane deserves to be retained. Rahane’s experience, tactical understanding of the game, and ability to anchor the innings make him a valuable asset to have in the dressing room, especially during transition phases.
Rayudu also assessed several other stalwarts of Indian cricket. The list of 27 players featured legendary names such as MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ruturaj Gaikwad. For most of these core players, Rayudu preferred the retention route, recognizing their immense brand value and undisputed match-winning capabilities despite occasional dips in form. Additionally, Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana was also tipped to be retained, highlighting his value as a premier death-overs specialist.
The KKR Captaincy Debate and Rayudu’s Stance
Another intriguing call involved the skipper of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Much like Rishabh Pant, the KKR captain struggled to make an impact in two consecutive seasons. However, unlike his verdict on Pant, Rayudu chose to hand a “retain” verdict to the KKR leader.
This distinction highlights Rayudu’s analytical approach: while some underperforming stars are deemed too expensive to keep, others are viewed as vital leadership pillars who deserve another opportunity to turn things around. Rayudu also floated a few “release and buy back” suggestions for specific players, suggesting a strategic approach where franchises could release players to lower their price tags before acquiring them again at a more reasonable rate in the auction.
Conclusion: The Road to the 2027 Auction
As franchises prepare for the upcoming cycle, Ambati Rayudu’s expert opinions offer a fascinating preview of the tough decisions looming in the boardroom. With 27 players receiving a clear verdict, the stage is set for an incredibly dramatic offseason. Whether the franchises follow Rayudu’s bold suggestions—such as releasing an INR 27 crore captain while retaining seasoned veterans—remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the landscape of the IPL is set for a massive shakeup.
