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Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar came up with some interesting observations while evaluating players' futures after IPL 2026.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Bangar didn't limit himself to the traditional "retain" or "release" categories. Instead, he introduced a third option, "repurchase", for players he felt should be released and then bought back at a lower price in the next auction.
Sanjay Bangar reveals which players should be retained or released
Among the biggest names, Bangar suggested that Lucknow Super Giants should consider repurchasing both Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant despite their underwhelming campaigns.
While Pooran struggled to justify his hefty price tag with just 234 runs in 14 matches, Pant also failed to produce the kind of season expected from the most expensive player in IPL history. Bangar was even more direct with Avesh Khan, backing LSG to release the pacer altogether after an injury-hit and ineffective season.
Punjab Kings received mixed recommendations. Bangar backed the retention of Marco Jansen and Yuzvendra Chahal despite their inconsistent numbers, but felt Xavier Bartlett had done little to warrant another opportunity.
At Mumbai Indians, Shardul Thakur earned Bangar's backing after picking up 12 wickets, while Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar were among the players he felt the franchise could move on from. 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 backed Chennai Super Kings retaining Shivam Dube while suggesting Prashant Veer could be repurchased.
Among other notable calls, Bangar wanted Gujarat Titans to keep 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 repurchase category, indicating that while both players still possess value, their current price tags may not justify a straightforward retention.
Sanjay Bangar's verdict on the following players
Bangar was asked to share his thoughts on the following players and their IPL 2026 performances. The IPL 2026 stats of these players are listed as well.
Nicholas Pooran (LSG, Rs. 21 crore) - Repurchase
Mat - 14, Runs - 234, Avg - 18, SR - 127.86, 50s - 1
Avesh Khan (LSG, Rs 9.75 crore) - Release
Mat - 7, Wickets - 6, Avg - 45.50, Econ - 11.06, BBI - 2/23
Rishabh Pant (LSG, Rs 27 crore) - Repurchase
Mat - 14, Runs - 312, Avg - 28.36, SR - 138.05, 50s - 1
Marco Jansen (PBKS, Rs 7 crore) - Retain
Mat - 13, Wickets - 9, Avg - 53.67, Econ - 10.2, BBI - 2/33
Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS, Rs 18 crore) - Retain
Mat - 14, Wickets - 12, Avg - 32.08, Econ - 9.39, BBI - 3/36
Xavier Bartlett (PBKS, Rs 80 lakh) - Release
Mat - 9, Wickets - 5, Avg - 77.60, Econ - 11.58, BBI - 2/9
Shardul Thakur (MI, Rs 2 crore) - Retain
Mat - 9, Wickets - 12, Avg - 22.50, Econ - 12.27, BBI - 4/39
Trent Boult (MI, Rs 12.5 crore) - Release
Mat - 5, Wickets - 2, Avg - 94, Econ - 11.62, BBI - 1/41
Deepak Chahar (MI, Rs 9.25 crore) - Release
Mat - 8, Wickets - 8, Avg - 33.12, Econ - 10.39, BBI - 2/33
Hardik Pandya (MI, Rs 16.35 crore) - "Not sure"
Mat - 10, Runs - 206, Avg - 22.89, 138.25 - SR, 40 - HS, Wickets - 4, Avg - 64.75, Econ - 11.42, BBI - 1/18
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Nitish Rana (DC, Rs 4.2 crore) - Release
Mat - 9, Runs - 225, Avg - 25, SR - 151, 50s - 2
Mukesh Kumar (DC, Rs 8 crore) - Release
Mat - 10, Wickets - 6, Avg - 58.83, Econ - 11.26, BBI - 2/26
T Natarajan (DC, Rs 10.75 crore) - Retain
Mat - 10, Wickets - 5, Avg - 71.2, Econ - 11.18, BBI - 3/29
Ajinkya Rahane (KKR, Rs 1.5 crore) - "Depends"
Mat - 14, Runs - 335, Avg - 25.76, SR - 135.08, 50s - 2
Ramandeep Singh (KKR, Rs 4 crore) - Release
Mat - 8, Runs - 82, Avg - 16.40, SR - 120.58, HS - 35
Shivam Dube (CSK, Rs 13 crore) - Retain
Mat - 13, Runs - 270, Avg - 38.57, SR - 158.82, HS - 47
Prashant Veer (CSK, Rs 14.20 crore) - Repurchase
Mat - 6, Runs - 90, Avg - 45, SR - 134.32, HS - 43
Shahrukh Khan (GT, Rs 4 crore) - Release
Mat - 9, Runs - 43, Avg - 10.75, SR - 130.3, HS - 17
Rahul Tewatia (GT, Rs 4 crore) - Retain
Mat - 14, Runs - 166, Avg - 27.67, SR - 140.67, 50s - 1
Shimron Hetmyer (RR, Rs 11 crore) - Release
Mat - 8, Runs - 78, Avg - 13, SR - 113.04, HS - 22
Ravindra Jadeja (RR, Rs 14 crore) - Retain
Mat - 13, Runs - 221, Avg - 55.25, 136.41 - SR, HS - 45, Wickets - 10, Avg - 24.9, Econ - 8.03, BBI - 2/8
Tushar Deshpande (RR, Rs 6.5 crore) - Retain
Mat - 6, Wickets - 4, Avg - 60.25, Econ - 12.05, BBI - 1/24
Romario Shepherd (RCB, Rs 1.5 crore) - Retain
Mat - 14, Runs - 83, Avg - 20.75, 125.75 - SR, HS - 23*, Wickets - 7, Avg - 42.57, Econ - 11.92, BBI - 3/54
Liam Livingstone (SRH, Rs 13 crore) - Repurchase
Mat - 2, Runs - 15, Avg - 7.5, SR - 60, HS - 14
Harshal Patel (SRH, Rs 8 crore) - Repurchase
Mat - 5, Wickets - 0, Avg - NA, Econ - 10.82,
Retain, release or... repurchase? Sanjay Bangar adds a new option to the game 😅 pic.twitter.com/g176RMYwXo
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 28, 2026
