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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering allowing IPL franchises to retain up to five players without the right to match option at the upcoming IPL 2025 auction, as per Indian Express. This move would enable teams like Mumbai Indians to retain their core players, including Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya.
5 retentions to be allowed in IPL 2025?
In a recent meeting with team owners, the BCCI discussed the possibility of player retention. A majority of the owners expressed their desire to retain between five and six players, emphasizing the importance of continuity. Considering their request, the BCCI is leaning towards allowing franchises to retain up to five players. This decision is also driven by the belief that retaining key players will help protect the brand value of the franchises.
IPL Player Retention Rules for 2024
Ahead of the 2022 season, IPL franchises were permitted to retain a maximum of four players. However, there was a stipulation that no more than three Indian players and two overseas players could be retained. For the upcoming 2024 season, there is currently no official clarity regarding the specific number of overseas players that each franchise can retain. The BCCI is yet to announce the detailed retention rules for this year's auction.
Mumbai Indians face retention decisions
With the likelihood of five players being retained, Mumbai Indians are under scrutiny to make strategic decisions. While their core has remained relatively unchanged for the past decade, their underwhelming performance this year under Hardik Pandya's captaincy has raised questions about their future lineup. The BCCI has not yet finalized the retention costs for the upcoming auction, adding another layer of uncertainty to the process.
In 2022, when Mumbai Indians retained four players, Rohit Sharma received the highest pay bracket at Rs 16 crore, followed by Jasprit Bumrah (Rs 12 crore), Suryakumar Yadav (Rs 8 crore), and Kieron Pollard (Rs 6 crore). Given the increased stock of Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav, it will be intriguing to see the retention prices for these players, assuming they agree to remain with the team. The BCCI's decision on the number of retentions will significantly impact the upcoming player auctions. During a recent meeting, a majority of the long-standing franchises expressed their preference for holding large-scale auctions every four or five years. Citing the importance of continuity, they advocated for delaying the next big player auction by a year to avoid losing key talents they had invested in. The last two major player auctions were held in a four-year cycle (2018 and 2022).
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