Australia’s star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has confirmed he will not enter the IPL 2026 mini-auction, strongly suggesting that he may have already played his final game in the world’s most lucrative T20 league. The 37-year-old announced his decision through social media on Tuesday, calling it one of the toughest choices of his career.
Maxwell becomes the latest high-profile name to withdraw from the Abu Dhabi auction scheduled for December 16, after Andre Russell and Faf du Plessis pulled out earlier. His exit comes at a time when the league is struggling with a shortage of quality overseas all-rounders, especially after Russell moved into a specialised ‘power coach’ role with KKR.
“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 said in his statement.
The big-hitting Australian last represented Punjab Kings under captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting, but a finger injury cut short his campaign. Bought for ₹4.2 crore in the previous mega auction, Maxwell scored only 48 runs in six innings and was largely used with the ball.
Emotional farewell message
Maxwell appeared to signal the end of his roller-coaster IPL stint that began in 2012.
“The IPL has helped shape me as a cricketer and as a person… 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,” he wrote.
Across 141 matches, Maxwell amassed 2,819 runs at an average of 23.88, peaking during his standout season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2021, when he smashed 513 runs at a strike rate of 144 after being bought for ₹14.25 crore. However, inconsistent returns often shadowed his career, particularly during the lean years with Delhi and his disappointing final season in 2024, where he scored just 52 runs in nine innings and was released by RCB.
Auction build-up
Meanwhile, preparations for the mini-auction continue at pace, with 1,355 players registering for 77 available slots. 45 players, including Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone, Venkatesh Iyer and Matheesha Pathirana, have entered the highest base price bracket of ₹2 crore. Franchises must submit their final shortlist by December 5.
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