The IPL 2026 auction is just a stone’s throw away, and cricket fans are certainly excited to see some dramatic changes in the squad before the new season. While the 10 teams are getting ready for the new season, we expect to see players who are not so well-known but might surprise everyone as surprise retentions on the November 15 deadline.
As the teams finalize their retention lists for IPL 2026, we are going to point out some of the young players whose selection may even catch the teams off guard.
IPL 2026 Auction Surprise Retentions
Umran Malik
A 25-year-old fast bowler from Jammu was earlier projected to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2025. Nonetheless, just one week before the commencement of IPL, he suffered an injury which resulted in the whole season being ruled out for him, and he was eventually replaced by Chetan Sakariya. The Sunrisers Hyderabad fast bowler made a mark in the IPL 2022 by taking 22 wickets in 14 matches. His performance that season brought him to the Indian team.
But, due to physical issues and not so impressive spells of bowling, the career of Umran was literally at a standstill. Still, he may be part of the retention for KKR’s 2026 list as he did not get any playing time last season. Plus, the fact that he was the fastest bowler in the IPL who India had ever come across, does not need to be overlooked.
Simarjeet Singh
Simarjeet Singh is probably one of the hidden gems that could find a place in the IPL 2026 retention list. The 27-year-old proved his worth in the initial matches of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team where he exhibited nice control, right pace, and good intent with the new ball. Nevertheless, the right-arm medium pacer could not get a steady run throughout the season, and that might have been the reason why he wasn’t in the limelight. But these very early performances were sufficient to show everybody that Simarjeet can indeed deal with pressure in the very best of circumstances.
In case, SRH is thinking of creating a strong domestic backbone of players for the forthcoming seasons, then, Simarjeet would be surely among the SRH players retained for 2026.
Mayank Yadav
Lucknow Super Giants can be proud to have one of the most reverberating youthful talents in Mayank Yadav. The player who was classified as the fastest bowler during the IPL of 2024, Mayank, however, got very little exposure in the IPL for the last two years. His injury problems deprived him of a chance to show LSG his worth in 2025. He has only participated in six matches over two seasons and has taken nine wickets as the result.
Lucknow will not let go of the valuable possession of Mayank’s raw pace and wicket-taking capability so easily, therefore, they would look to include him in the LSG retained players 2026 list. The team showing faith and trust in the young player’s capacity could be a huge plus for LSG because once he is fit, Mayank is for sure a match-winner for them going solo.
