In the world of IPL, the retention of players is where the really big money game starts. For the IPL 2026 season, we have seen some record-breaking numbers that have shocked even the biggest cricket fans in India.
Rishabh Pant, signed by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a massive ₹27 crore, is the most expensive retained player for 2026. This is currently the highest contract in IPL history. Close behind him is Virat Kohli, who continues his long journey with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Kohli was retained for ₹21 crore, making him the highest-paid Indian player to stay with a single team for 19 years.
Another big name in the top list is Nicholas Pooran, who LSG kept for ₹21 crore because of his explosive batting. We also saw Ruturaj Gaikwad for CSK and Sanju Samson (who was traded but sits in the top bracket) at ₹18 crore each. Even Rashid Khan remains one of the costliest overseas retentions at ₹18 crore for Gujarat Titans.
Interestingly, some big stars took different paths. Rohit Sharma was retained by Mumbai Indians for ₹16.30 crore, while the legendary MS Dhoni was retained by CSK as an "uncapped player" for just ₹4 crore to help the team’s budget. KKR retained Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy for ₹12 crore each to sustain their spin attack.
Top Retained Players (IPL 2026)
| Player | Team | Retention Price |
| Rishabh Pant | LSG | ₹27 Crore |
| Virat Kohli | RCB | ₹21 Crore |
| Nicholas Pooran | LSG | ₹21 Crore |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | CSK | ₹18 Crore |
| Rashid Khan | GT | ₹18 Crore |
These high prices show how much teams value their match-winners. It’s not just about the game; it's about building a brand around these superstars!