IPL Mega Auction Retention Rules: The BCCI has confirmed a mega auction for the 2025 IPL season, sparking excitement among franchises and fans about the upcoming retention rules. Some reports suggest that the BCCI might continue with the 3+1 retention rule. We’ll have to wait and see how things unfold.
IPL Mega Auction Retention Rules
The Indian Premier League 2024 ended with the Kolkata Knight Riders winning the trophy by defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Following this, the BCCI has declared a mega auction for the next season, taking the excitement around the auction and retention rules.
The IPL mega auction takes place every three years, allowing teams to rebuild while maintaining their core players. Player retention is vital for teams to develop their strategies for winning the title.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) manages and conducts the IPL auction. The retention rules can change every season, affecting how teams keep their capped and uncapped players. With the announcement of the 2025 mega auction, there is much discussion about the new retention rules for IPL 2025.
As per the IPL retention rules, each franchise can keep up to three Indian players and two overseas players ahead of the auction.
According to reports, the BCCI will stick with the previous 3+1 retention format for the 2025 mega auction. This means teams can retain three players along with one additional player using a “Right-to-Match card.”
The Right-to-Match (RTM) rule enables franchises to match the final bid for a player from their squad who has been auctioned, allowing them to acquire the player at that price. This RTM provision is significant as it allows teams to retain their former players at the auction price and keep them in their squad.
IPL Player Retention Policies
During the last Mega Auction in 2022, each team had the option to retain four players. However, there was a condition: they couldn’t keep more than three Indian players and two overseas players.
In the IPL auction, franchises operate within a set budget. When they retain players, the player’s salary cap is subtracted from this budget. Hence, teams must carefully consider their retention choices.
The IPL has established specific salary caps for retaining players, depending on the number retained:
- For four retained players, the salary cap is ₹42 crore:
- ₹16 crore for the first-choice player
- ₹12 crore for the second-choice player
- ₹8 crores for the third-choice player
- ₹6 crore for the fourth-choice player
- For three retained players, the salary cap is ₹33 crore:
- ₹15 crore for the first-choice player
- ₹11 crore for the second-choice player
- ₹7 crores for the third-choice player
The retention policies for the IPL 2025 Mega Auction may change if the authorities adjust the budget. Hence, we await the final rules.
IPL owner preference over IPL 2025 Mega auction Retentions
Amid discussions about the IPL 2025 Mega Auction and retention rules, team owners have voiced their views on retention rules, especially the 3+1 rule.
KKR CEO Mr. Venky Rose suggested allowing each franchise to use Right-to-Match cards in the auction, enabling teams to reacquire their former players.
Franchises also support lower retentions, arguing that having six to eight retentions with Right-to-Match cards could render the auction redundant. The auction is a crucial aspect of the IPL, providing opportunities for uncapped players to shine, giving teams a fresh start, and upholding the spirit of the IPL.
Given the owners’ inclination toward more RTM cards, we await the BCCI’s decision following discussions with the franchises regarding the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, which is yet to be scheduled.
When Will BCCI Announce the IPL 2025 Retention Rules?
According to reports, the BCCI will meet with franchises to discuss the IPL 2025 mega auction. Initially, this meeting was scheduled for April 2, 2024, but it was postponed for unspecified reasons.
Currently, the new date for the meeting has not been announced by the board, which leaves room for changes and speculation about the retention rules.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that the board will decide on the IPL Mega Auction’s date, venue, retention rules, and other details after the T20 World Cup.
The IPL 2025 Mega Auction will remain under close watch until the BCCI announces the rules and structure. This auction presents a significant opportunity for teams to add star players to their squads, especially after the two mini-auctions of the past two years.
