MS-Dhoni(Photo by Prakash Singh/Getty Images)

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen a host of superstars from around the world compete and succeed on the big stage. However, with each passing season, established players take a backseat, allowing young and talented players to take their position in the teams. 

Players do not return to the IPL for several reasons. Some of them just decide to hang up their boots and leave the game behind, while others are forced to miss out on a season due to poor form or an unfortunate injury. There have also been instances in the past where overseas players pulled out of an IPL season due to their upcoming international commitments. 

Here are five players who might not play in the IPL next season: 5. Trent Boult - Mumbai Indians Trent Boult (Source: IPL/X)

Trent Boult is one of the finest overseas bowlers to grace the IPL. The New Zealand international formed part of the Mumbai Indians squad during the 2026 season, which could well be his final season in the franchise tournament.

The left-arm fast bowler went on to take just two wickets from five matches at an economy rate of 11.62. Through the midway point of the tournament, MI dropped their star bowler and started favouring South Africa's Corbin Bosch. 

With Boult turning 37 in the coming months, it will not be surprising to see MI release him ahead of the 2027 season and not return to the IPL again.

4. Ishant Sharma - Gujarat Titans ishant-sharma. (Photo source: X)

Veteran Ishant Sharma formed part of the Gujarat Titans' squad that reached the final in the 2026 IPL season. The pace bowler, however, did not play a single match in the competition and remained on the bench for the entire time.

Ishant last featured in the IPL in 2025, where he played seven matches and took four wickets. With the former India seamer turning 38 in September, and not playing any game in the most recent season, suggest that the GT player will not be featuring in the tournament ever again.

3. Ajinkya Rahane - Kolkata Knight Riders Ajinkya Rahane (Photo Source: KKR)

It is hard to assume that a current IPL captain will not return in 2027, but current form does suggest the same for Ajinkya Rahane. The Kolkata Knight Riders skipper had an underwhelming season, both with the bat and as a leader.

Though he did well to transform KKR's fortunes in the second half of the season, some of his calls during the opening stages of the tournament were questionable, including deciding to bat first against the Punjab Kings with rain on the horizon.

Rahane also had a torrid time as a batter. He managed to score 335 at a strike-rate of 135.08, which is on the lower side for a modern-day T20 opener. The three-time champions will need to make a tough call on whether to retain Rahane or not.

2. Pat Cummins - Sunrisers Hyderabad Pat Cummins. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Pat Cummins returned to the Sunrisers Hyderabad setup for the second half of the season after fully recovering from a back injury. The captain led his side to the playoffs, where they ultimately lost to the Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator. 

As things stand, there are serious question marks surrounding Cummins' availability for the 2027 IPL season. With Australia set to have a packed calendar next year, the right-arm pacer is expected to prioritise international over franchise cricket. Next year is crucial for Cummins as Australia's captain, with an Ashes series in England followed by the World Cup in South Africa to look ahead to.  

1. MS Dhoni - Chennai Super Kings MS Dhoni. (Photo Source: Chennai Super Kings/IG)

IPL 2026 was the first season in which MS Dhoni did not feature for the Chennai Super Kings. The legendary wicketkeeper-batter had a calf injury before the start of the season and was not able to nurse the same over the next two months. Likely, the former India captain will not feature in the IPL ever again due to several reasons. 

Dhoni will be turning 45 in July, which is way beyond the age at which players compete in cricket. Secondly, CSK seem to have already signed his replacement in the form of Sanju Samson, who scored two centuries in his first season donning the iconic yellow shirt.