As the IPL 2026 mini-auction approaches in December, all ten franchises have made public their respective lists of retained and released players. Though player transfer is a constant during IPL’s history, there are a few cricketers who have never allowed themselves to be transferred (i.e., have never been released by their team at all).
These players have become so important to their respective franchises that they represented them over many seasons. Let us see now who the active players are that have shown the inconsistency and un-loyalty that is typical of the cash-rich league.
Virat Kohli (RCB)
Virat Kohli is the player that would immediately come up in mind when we mention Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He is the only player that has played for the whole 18 IPL seasons of one franchise (RCB) that included and still includes him. Kohli was the lucky one to be picked up for merely ₹12 lakhs in 2008, and he has turned into the most iconic batter in the league.
He owns the records of most runs (8661), most centuries (8), and the unforgettable 973-run season of 2016. RCB always kept Kohli despite the hard times, and also during the multiple rebuilding processes. Their loyalty was finally rewarded when the player for whom they waited 18 years, the franchise finally got its first IPL trophy in 2025.
MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings)
MS Dhoni was CSK’s representative from the very start when he was bought for ₹6 crore in 2008. The five IPL wins and CSK’s transformation into one of the most winning teams in the league owing to Dhoni’s mentoring have resulted in CSK’s reputation as the most successful in league history. The point worth stressing is that the legendary player has never been released by the CSK. He took 2016 and 2017 off, but that was only because CSK was suspended; he played for Rising Pune Supergiant then.
Before IPL 2026, there was endless speculation regarding Dhoni’s presence, but the franchise’s CEO has already declared that MSD will serve CSK in a new season.
Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders)
The enigmatic spinner Sunil Narine, who signed up with KKR in 2012, is the most trustworthy overseas player in IPL history. Narine has stuck with KKR for more than ten years and has thus become their most valuable player and leading wicket-taker. The phenomenal bowler has been part of the Kolkata-based team for 189 matches and has taken 192 wickets while maintaining an economy rate of 6.80
The indubitable truth is that, whether with the ball or as an explosive opener, Narine has been a significant contributor to KKR’s three IPL titles, and the franchise has never contemplated letting him go.
Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians)
Jasprit Bumrah has been the Mumbai Indians’ bowling pillar since he was given a chance to play in 2013. Gradually, he has become one of the best bowlers in the world. Till date, Bumrah has participated in 145 games, claiming 183 wickets with an economy of 7.24—there he was the heart of MI’s triumph during their golden era of titles.
The MI management has always kept him in their ranks, thus he came to be known as one of the most trusted players in the outfit. Before IPL 2026 MI chose to retain him as well for a huge 18 crore INR.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings)
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who joined CSK in 2020, has finally established himself as one of the side’s most reliable athletes. The current CSK captain has surpassed 2,500 runs in 71 matches with an average of 40.35 and a strike rate of 137.47 for the ‘Yellow Army’.
It should be pointed out that on 21 March 2024, Ruturaj was promoted to the CSK captain post after MS Dhoni hung up his boots. CSK has always stood by him since his joining, and ahead of IPL 2026, the franchise has also declared him as the captain for the upcoming season
