5 Legends Who Might Retire Before IPL 2026 Season

The IPL 2026 season is a few months away, but the auction is just around the corner. A lot of changes are taking place in the IPL arena, with one of the biggest talking points being the arrival of Kane Williamson as a strategic advisor for the Lucknow Super Giants.

At the same time, the cricket world is keeping a close eye on a handful of veterans who might retire before IPL 2026. Legends like MS Dhoni, Faf du Plessis, and Virat Kohli IPL retirement news is being circulated all over the internet. If these stalwarts of the game decide to hang up their boots before the season, then this would mark the end of a glorious era where all these modern-day greats featured at the same time in the richest cricket league in the world.

Top 5 Players Who Can Retire Before IPL 2026

As the IPL 2026 approaches, there’s growing speculation about a few of the game’s biggest stars potentially retiring before the tournament kicks off. Legends like MS Dhoni, who has hinted that he still has a few months to decide, and Virat Kohli, who stepped away from T20 internationals and ended his commercial contract with RCB recently, are in the middle of these discussions.

Rohit Sharma, having already moved away from Test and T20I cricket, also faces questions about how much longer he’ll continue after a string of average performances in the last few years in the IPL. Meanwhile, veterans like Faf du Plessis and Trent Boult could be nearing the end of their IPL journeys as well, especially Faf, as he is almost nearing 42.

1. Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bengaluru

As IPL 2026 comes closer, there’s been a lot of speculation about Virat Kohli’s future in the tournament, especially with talks about a possible retirement. Recently, Kohli did not renew his commercial contract with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which led fans to wonder if he might be stepping away from the IPL.

However, this commercial deal is separate from his playing contract, and reports suggest that delays in signing might be due to potential changes in the franchise’s ownership rather than any plans of retirement. Kohli himself has shown no signs of stepping back from cricket, having just returned to India after a break and preparing to play in upcoming matches.

Moreover, he has expressed his commitment to playing in the 2027 World Cup. So, while the rumours about Virat Kohli IPL retirement continue to move around, there’s no official word yet from him.

2. MS Dhoni | Chennai Super Kings

The build-up to IPL 2026 begins, and the question on every fan’s mind is whether MS Dhoni will take the field once again, or if the 2025 season was his last. The talk surrounding MS Dhoni IPL retirement has been constant over the past few years, but the legendary CSK skipper has kept everyone guessing.

Dhoni is arguably the Best Wicket Keeper in IPL history. At 44, Dhoni continues to defy age with his presence behind the stumps, though he’s clearly managing his workload more carefully by batting down the order at around number 8. After the 2025 season, he admitted he would need “four to five months” to decide on his future, hinting that it would depend on how well his body holds up.

3. Rohit Sharma | Mumbai Indians

As IPL 2026 approaches, speculation continues to revolve around the future of Rohit Sharma, one of the most dangerous batsmen in the IPL. He has already announced his retirement from T20 Internationals after India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup and later stepping away from Test cricket in 2025. Fans have begun to wonder if a full exit from the game might also be possible in the near future.

However, Rohit Sharma has made it clear that he isn’t done just yet, especially in the ODI format. After India’s Champions Trophy victory earlier this year, he firmly dismissed rumours, stating, “I am not retiring from this format, please stop spreading false news.” The conversations around Rohit Sharma IPL retirement remain active, but for now, Mumbai Indians fans can still expect to see him in action, at least for one more season.

4. Faf du Plessis | Delhi Capitals

At 41 years old, Faf du Plessis has begun to generate serious chatter about a possible retirement before IPL 2026. He has already retired from all forms of international cricket long back and only features in T20 leagues around the world. In the 2025 IPL auction, DC picked him at the base price after he was let go by RCB, and there have been whispers that his latest move may mark the last chapter of his IPL journey.

He scored around 202 runs in 9 matches for Delhi Capitals in the 2025 season at an average well below his peak form. While du Plessis continues to commit as a franchise player, the combination of age and reduced auction demand indicates that his retirement from IPL might not be far away.

5. Trent Boult | Mumbai Indians

There are speculations that IPL 2025 might have been the final season for New Zealand pacer Trent Boult. At 36, Boult no longer holds a central contract with New Zealand, having stepped away from regular international duties back in 2022 to focus on franchise cricket. He also confirmed that the 2024 T20 World Cup would be his last for New Zealand.

While the left-arm quick continues to perform in the IPL, most recently for the Mumbai Indians, but growing age and the demands of fast bowling are starting to become factors which suggest that Trent Boult might retire from IPL in the near future.