Glenn Maxwell opts out of IPL 2026 auction

Seasoned Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has followed the likes of Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali in pulling out of IPL 2026 auction. After a subdued show last season, the IPL 2025 runners-up, Punjab Kings, released Maxwell ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. While there was buzz that the all-rounder might attract some bidders in the upcoming auction, Maxwell has opted against registering altogether. Unlike du Plessis and Ali, the Australian has not confirmed whether his next stop will be the PSL. However, he concluded his parting message with “See you soon,” seemingly keeping the door open for a return in the seasons ahead.

Glenn Maxwell pulls out of IPL 2026 auction

Glenn Maxwell announced on Tuesday that he will not be part of this year’s IPL player auction, which is expected to take place in mid-December in Abu Dhabi. The upcoming season, consequently, will be the first since 2019 that Maxwell won't feature in. The 37-year-old confirmed his decision through a statement posted on his official social media accounts.

“After many unforgettable seasons in the IPL, I’ve decided not to put my name into the auction this year. It’s a big call, and one I make with a lot of gratitude for everything this league has given me,” Maxwell wrote. “The IPL has helped shape me as a cricketer and as a person. I’ve been lucky to play with world-class teammates, represent incredible franchises, and perform in front of fans whose passion is unmatched."

"The memories, the challenges, and the energy of India will stay with me forever. Thank you for all your support over the years, hopefully see you soon. Cheers Maxi," he rounded off.

Questions surrounding the participation of Maxwell had already surfaced when his name was absent from the detailed list of players who submitted their registrations for the IPL 2026 auction. His omission came shortly after Punjab Kings released him following a disappointing run in IPL 2025, a season in which he managed only 48 runs, including four consecutive single-digit dismissals, and claimed just four wickets across the six games. His campaign ended midway after he suffered a fractured finger, leading to fellow Australian Mitchell Owen being named his replacement.

Maxwell, who stepped away from ODI cricket earlier this June, had been bought by Punjab Kings for the third time in his career, securing a contract worth INR 4.2 crore. The all-rounder's earlier stints with the franchise came between 2014 and 2017 and again in 2021. Over his 13 seasons in the IPL, the hard-hitting batter accumulated 2,819 runs at an impressive strike rate of 155.15.

His standout year remains 2014, when he produced 552 runs in 16 innings at a stunning strike rate of 187.8. However, Maxwell's form dipped sharply in recent editions as across his last 15 innings, he has mustered only 100 runs at an average of 6.67. Interestingly, Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting had previously stated that the team struggled to extract Maxwell’s best in IPL 2025 and had informed him that the all-rounder was unlikely to feature in their preferred XI for IPL 2026.

“Love Glenn and what he brings to the game. Unfortunately, last year we weren’t able to get the best out of him,” Ponting had said earlier. “Looking ahead to this season, we didn’t feel he would be part of our starting team, so we decided to release him."

In the lead-up to the IPL 2026 mini-auction, several prominent overseas players have opted against registering for the bidding process. On Sunday, Faf du Plessis released a heartfelt note announcing his decision to part ways with the Indian Premier League. The veteran Proteas batter enjoyed an impressive run in the tournament, turning out for teams such as CSK, RCB, and most recently DC. However, with the T20 league demanding brisk, high-intensity action, du Plessis has chosen to explore the PSL instead, which follows the same calendar as the IPL.

Moeen Ali, who was picked by KKR in IPL 2025 but released ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, followed suit by joining the PSL. Meanwhile, another KKR giant, Andre Russell, announced his retirement from the league recently. In a shocking move, the Kolkata loyalist was released ahead of the upcoming season. However, instead of exploring opportunities to form a new association, Dre Russell retired and has now joined the KKR support staff as their 'Power Coach'. In Maxwell's case, it is yet to be confirmed whether the Australian is planning to join the PSL after opting out of IPL 2026.