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Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar came up with some interesting comments while evaluating the future of the players after IPL 2026.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Bangar did not limit himself to the traditional “retain” or “release” categories. Instead, they introduced a third option, “buyback”, for players they believed should be released and then bought back at a lower price in the next auction.
Sanjay Bangar told which players should be retained or released
Among the biggest names, Bangar suggested that Lucknow Supergiants should consider re-buying both Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant despite their disappointing campaigns.
While Pooran struggled to justify his hefty price tag by scoring just 234 runs in 14 matches, Pant also failed to have the season expected from the most expensive player in IPL history. Bangar spoke even more directly with Avesh Khan and backed LSG to completely release the fast bowler after an injury-plagued and ineffective season.
Punjab Kings received mixed recommendations. Bangar backed the retention of Marco Jansson and Yuzvendra Chahal despite inconsistent numbers, but believes Xavier Bartlett has done too little to deserve another opportunity.
At Mumbai Indians, Shardul Thakur won Bangar’s endorsement after taking 12 wickets, while Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar were among the players he felt could give the franchise a boost. Interestingly, Bangar remained undecided on Hardik Pandya, saying he was “not sure” about the all-rounder’s future with the five-time champions.
For Delhi Capitals, Bangar recommended retaining T Natarajan but releasing Nitish Rana and Mukesh Kumar. He also supported the retention of Shivam Dubey by Chennai Super Kings, while suggesting that Prashant Weir could be bought again.
In other notable calls, Bangar wanted Gujarat Titans to retain Rahul Tewatia but release Shahrukh Khan, Rajasthan Royals to retain Ravindra Jadeja and Tushar Deshpande while parting ways with Shimron Hetmyer and Royal Challengers Bengaluru to continue backing Romario Shepherd.
He also placed Liam Livingstone and Harshal Patel in the buyback category, indicating that although both players still have value, their current price tags may not directly justify retention.
Sanjay Bangar’s decision on the following players
Bangar was asked to share his views on the following players and their IPL 2026 performances. IPL 2026 stats of these players are also listed.
Nicholas Pooran (LSG, Rs. 21 crore) – Buyback
MAT – 14, Run – 234, Avg – 18, SR – 127.86, 50 sec – 1
Avesh Khan (LSG, Rs 9.75 crore) – Released
Mat – 7, Wicket – 6, Avg – 45.50, Ikon – 11.06, BBI – 2/23
Rishabh Pant (LSG, Rs 27 crore) – Buyback
Mats – 14, Runs – 312, Avg – 28.36, SR – 138.05, 50 sec – 1
Marco Jansen (PBKS, Rs 7 crore) – Retained
Mat – 13, Wicket – 9, Average – 53.67, Ikon – 10.2, BBI – 2/33
Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS, Rs 18 crore) – Retained
Mat – 14, Wicket – 12, Average – 32.08, Ikon – 9.39, BBI – 3/36
Xavier Bartlett (PBKS, Rs 80 lakh) – Released
Mat – 9, Wicket – 5, Average – 77.60, Ikon – 11.58, BBI – 2/9
Shardul Thakur (MI, Rs 2 crore) – Retained
Mat – 9, Wicket – 12, Average – 22.50, Ikon – 12.27, BBI – 4/39
Trent Boult (MI, Rs 12.5 crore) – Released
Mat – 5, Wicket – 2, Average – 94, Ikon – 11.62, BBI – 1/41
Deepak Chahar (MI, Rs 9.25 crore) – Released
Mat – 8, Wicket – 8, Avg – 33.12, Ikon – 10.39, BBI – 2/33
Hardik Pandya (MI, Rs 16.35 crore) – “Not sure”
Mats – 10, Runs – 206, Avg – 22.89, 138.25 – SR, 40 – HS, Wickets – 4, Avg – 64.75, Ikon – 11.42, BBI – 1/18
Also read: S Badrinath appoints Hardik Pandya as new captain of CSK
Nitish Rana (DC, Rs 4.2 crore) – Released
MAT – 9, Run – 225, Avg – 25, SR – 151, 50s – 2
Mukesh Kumar (DC, Rs 8 crore) – Released
Mat – 10, Wicket – 6, Average – 58.83, Ikon – 11.26, BBI – 2/26
T Natarajan (DC, Rs 10.75 crore) – Retained
Mat – 10, Wicket – 5, Avg – 71.2, Ikon – 11.18, BBI – 3/29
Ajinkya Rahane (KKR, Rs 1.5 crore) – “Dependable”
MAT – 14, Run – 335, Avg – 25.76, SR – 135.08, 50 sec – 2
Ramandeep Singh (KKR, Rs 4 crore) – Released
MAT – 8, RUN – 82, AVG – 16.40, SR – 120.58, HS – 35
Shivam Dubey (CSK, Rs 13 crore) – Retained
MAT – 13, RUN – 270, AVG – 38.57, SR – 158.82, HS – 47
Prashant Veer (CSK, Rs 14.20 crore) – Buyback
MAT – 6, RUN – 90, AVG – 45, SR – 134.32, HS – 43
Shahrukh Khan (GT, Rs 4 crore) – Release
MAT – 9, RUN – 43, AVG – 10.75, SR – 130.3, HS – 17
Rahul Tewatia (GT, Rs 4 crore) – Retained
Mats – 14, Runs – 166, Avg – 27.67, SR – 140.67, 50s – 1
Shimron Hetmyer (RR, Rs 11 crore) – Released
MAT – 8, RUN – 78, AVG – 13, SR – 113.04, HS – 22
Ravindra Jadeja (RR, Rs 14 crore) – Retained
Mats – 13, Runs – 221, Avg – 55.25, 136.41 – SR, HS – 45, Wickets – 10, Avg – 24.9, Ikon – 8.03, BBI – 2/8
Tushar Deshpande (RR, Rs 6.5 crore) – Retained
Mat – 6, Wicket – 4, Average – 60.25, Ikon – 12.05, BBI – 1/24
Romario Shepherd (RCB, Rs 1.5 crore) – Retained
Mat – 14, Run – 83, Avg – 20.75, 125.75 – SR, HS – 23*, Wicket – 7, Avg – 42.57, Ikon – 11.92, BBI – 3/54
Liam Livingstone (SRH, Rs 13 crore) – Buyback
MAT – 2, RUN – 15, AVG – 7.5, SR – 60, HS – 14
Harshal Patel (SRH, Rs 8 crore) – buyback
MAT – 5, Wicket – 0, Average – NA, Economy – 10.82,
Retain, Release or…Repurchase? Sanjay Bangar added a new option to the game pic.twitter.com/g176RMYwXo
– ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 28, 2026