Deciding to keep a player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) involves careful planning and investment. The main aim is to ensure that the retained player benefits the team, matches their strategy, and warrants the trust placed in them.
When a retention decision works out well, it reinforces the team’s foundation. However, if it backfires, particularly with International players, the fallout can be severe—leading to wasted resources, disrupted harmony, and minimal returns. The IPL 2026 season saw three notable retention mistakes.
1. Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians)
Trent Boult leads this list of disappointments. Retained by Mumbai Indians (MI) for a significant INR 12.50 crore, the 36-year-old had a forgettable season. He took only two wickets in five matches, with an average of 94.00 and an economy rate of 11.62.
The cost per wicket was INR 6.25 crore, highlighting the financial strain of poor performance in the IPL.
2. Shimron Hetmyer (Rajasthan Royals)
Rajasthan Royals (RR) kept Shimron Hetmyer for INR 11 crore, counting on his finishing skills. Instead, he produced a disappointing season, scoring just 78 runs in seven innings with an average of 13.00 and a strike rate of 113.04. His performance fell far below what was expected.
Every run Hetmyer scored effectively cost RR INR 14.1 lakh, emphasizing the disparity between their investment and his output.
3. Nicholas Pooran (Lucknow Super Giants)
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) chose to retain Nicholas Pooran for a substantial INR 21 crore, but he failed to meet expectations. He scored 234 runs over 14 innings, with an average of 18.00 and a strike rate of 127.86. His only fifty came in a losing match against MI, which highlighted his struggle to make impactful contributions.
Pooran’s cost per run was nearly INR 9 lakh, reflecting the severe impact of his lackluster season.
IPL 2026 showed that retaining international players can be risky. While teams seek stability and star talent, poor choices can have significant consequences. Boult, Hetmyer, and Pooran serve as reminders that performance is the only true measure of value in the IPL.