India, Nov. 15 -- As franchises fine-tune their lists ahead of next year's IPL mini-auction, the league is witnessing one of its most eventful retention cycles in recent seasons. Mini-auctions are typically conservative, guided by the familiar equations of supply versus demand and performance versus price. Yet the trade window produced a headline-grabber: Ravindra Jadeja's sensational switch from Chennai Super Kings to Rajasthan Royals, with Sanju Samson moving the other way.

CSK also released Matheesha Patheerana and Devon Conway to free up a huge sum.

While the Jadeja trade has overshadowed everything else, several teams are quietly preparing for significant churn. Kolkata Knight Riders released their long-time MVP Andre Russell and V...