The excitement is building for the IPL 2025 mega auction, and the IPL team managements are eagerly awaiting the final decision on the rules surrounding player retentions and right-to-match (RTM) options.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is currently mulling over the exact regulations for the upcoming auction, with several key points emerging from recent discussions with team owners.
Check complete details on will the IPL mega auction happen, the number of retentions, RTM rules and many more.
Increased Salary Cap and Retentions in IPL 2025 Auction
According to reports, the salary cap for each team for IPL 2025 could be set at INR 120 crore, up from INR 100 crore in the previous season.
This increase could allow teams to retain their top players at higher salaries, with the top retained player potentially earning around INR 20 crore.
The number of retentions for each team is still being finalised, but it is expected to be in the range of 5-6 players.
The BCCI is reportedly not in favor of the previous 8-retention policy, as they feel it would take too many star players out of the auction pool, making the event less exciting.
IPL Auction RTM Option in Jeopardy
The Right to Match (RTM) option, which allows franchises to automatically buy back a player who represented them last season if they match the highest bid, could be off the table for IPL 2025.
This option was removed in the 2021 auction to give the new franchises, Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans, a larger player pool to choose from.
However, one franchise owner has suggested a policy of only one retention per team, with the rest (presumably 6-7) coming through the RTM option. This would allow players to earn a fair market price while still allowing teams to retain their core.
Franchise Divide Over IPL Mega Auctions
The proposed mega auction for IPL 2025 has divided opinions among the franchises. Several prominent teams, including Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Rajasthan Royals (RR), have advocated for fewer mega auctions to maintain team continuity and stability.
On the other hand, franchises like Delhi Capitals are in favor of mega auctions, arguing that they enhance competition by levelling the playing field. The BCCI is expected to take into account the diverse opinions of the franchises as they finalise the retention and RTM rules for the upcoming IPL auction.