In a big update, franchises will be allowed to retain up to five players ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. Moreover, franchises will have the opportunity to utilise one right-to-match card. Notably, there will not be any restriction on how many Indian or foreign players to be retained. Not just this, franchises purse has also swollen up to Rs 120 crores now. In other connotation, it can also be stated that all 10 IPL franchises will have the opportunity to retain up to six players ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. But, among these retained players, one must be an uncapped player. This new retention policy provides franchises with more flexibility in retaining their key players.
5 players to be retained ahead of IPL 2025 auction with one RTM card
Notably, the last mega auction in 2022, the IPL allowed teams to keep up to four players. Now that a three- year cycle has ended and another mega auction is coming up, teams have different opinions on player retention i.e five alongwith one RTM card. Earlier, there were reports that some teams want to keep as many as eight players, while others are okay with four or five. However, the IPL Governing Council has finally settled the fuss about the number of retentions on the matter.
Here's the break down of retention slab for IPL 2025:
1st retention: Rs. 18cr
2nd retention: Rs. 14cr
3rd retention: Rs. 11cr
4th retention: Rs. 18cr
5th retention: Rs. 14cr
Also, a franchise can use Right To Match (RTM) for 3 players if it retains only 3 players.
The retention policy for IPL 2025, allowing 5 retentions and 1 right-to-match card, has also set a new record for the highest number of retentions in the league's history. In the 2018 auction, teams were allowed to retain 3 players and had 2 right-to-match cards. However, the right-to-match option was removed in the IPL 2022 mega auction, where teams could retain 4 players. The IPL 2025 auction purse has also been increased to Rs 120 crore. While the 2022 auction had a purse of INR 90 crore, an increase of 10 crore from 2017, the upcoming auction will certainly have a much bigger purse. This substantial increase is expected to lead to record-breaking bids and player acquisitions in the IPL 2025 auction.
Meanwhile, the IPL Governing Council hasn't yet given any update on the IPL 2025 auction dates and venue. However, it is expected to be held in late November, likely taking place outside India, possibly in Saudi Arabia.
Jay Shah also introduced a new incentive for IPL players. In addition to the existing match fees, players will receive a bonus of Rs 1.05 crore if they participate in all matches of a season. This bonus aims to recognize the consistency and hard work demonstrated by the players throughout the tournament. The BCCI has allocated a total match fee of Rs 12.60 crore to each franchise, which will be distributed among the players. This significant increase in match fees is seen as a positive step to motivate and reward the players for their performance in the IPL.
A look at all the decisions taken in IPL Governing Council meeting:
1. The IPL franchises can retain a total of 6 players from their existing squad. This can be either via retention or by using the Right to Match (RTM) option.
2. It is at the discretion of the IPL franchise to choose their combination for Retentions and RTMs. The 6 retentions / RTM's can have a maximum of 5 capped players (Indian & Overseas) and a maximum of 2 uncapped players.
3. The auction purse for the franchises has been set at INR 120 Crore for IPL 2025. The total salary cap will now consist of auction purse, incremental performance pay and match fees. Previously in 2024, the total salary cap (auction purse + incremental performance pay) was Rs. 110 Crs which will now be Rs. 146 Crs (2025), Rs. 151 Crs (2026) and Rs. 157 Crs (2027).
4. A match fee has been introduced for the first time in the history of the IPL. Each Playing member (Including the Impact Player) will get a match fee of INR 7.5 Lakhs per match. This will be in addition to his contracted amount.
5. Any Overseas Player will have to register for the Big Auction. In case the overseas player doesn't register, then he will be ineligible to register in the following year's player auction.
6. Any player who registers in the player auction and after getting picked at the auction, makes himself unavailable before the start of the season, will get banned from participating in the tournament and player auction for 2 Seasons.
7. A capped Indian player will become uncapped, if the player has in the last five calendar years preceding the year in which the relevant Season is held, not played in the starting XI in International Cricket (Test match, ODI, Twenty20 International) or does not have a Central Contract with BCCI. This will be applicable for Indian Players only.
8. The Impact Player Regulation will continue for the 2025 to 2027 cycle.
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