Indian Premier League (IPL) governing council announced new rules regarding IPL 2025 and the mega auction which is set to take place before the tournament. The council have made some important new decisions on the upcoming edition of the game. One of the most interesting rules is about a player not participating in the tournament after being bought in the auction. If a player does this, he will be banned from playing for two seasons. The franchise purse has also been increased by Rs 20 crore. Here is all you need to know about new rules.
Six players can be retained
Each franchise can retain a maximum of six players. This also includes the right-to-match (RTM) option. A franchise can retain a maximum of five capped players. These can either be all Indians or all foreigners or a combination of both. A maximum of five capped players can be retained. One player must be uncapped.
The franchise added a Right to Match card but there is a twist
The Right to Match (RTM) card is making a comeback in the auction after being absent in the last mega auction. Previously last used in the 2017 mega auction, it was not part of the 2022 event. The RTM allows a franchise to buy back a player during the auction. Once bidding concludes on a player, the former team can choose to reclaim him by matching the highest bid made by a new team.
With at least three franchises advocating for its return, the IPL has decided to reintroduce RTM, but this time with some exciting twists. Here are the new features of the RTM card:
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Keeping in mind the interests of the players, the IPL has made some changes to the RTM rule. According to this, the highest bidder will be given one last opportunity to increase his bid for a player before the team holding the RTM card exercises its right. For example, if Team 1 holds an RTM for Player X and Team 2 has placed the highest bid of Rs 6 crore on him, Team 1 will first be asked if they will exercise the RTM. If Team 1 agrees, Team 2 will have the chance to increase their bid. If Team 2 increases their bid to Rs 9 crore, Team 1 can use the RTM and acquire Player X for Rs 9 crore. If Team 2 chooses not to increase the bid and keeps it at Rs 6 crore, Team 1 can use the RTM and acquire Player X for Rs 6 crore.
Upgraded Auction Purse
Indian Premier League have upgraded the purse from 100 crores to 120 crore. Now a franchise will have Rs 120 crore to form its team. This purse will change after retention and then the franchise will enter the mega auction with the remaining money. This amount is Rs 20 crore more than the previous auction (Rs 100 crore). This is one of the most important decisions taken by the IPL Governing Council.
IPL Impact player rule
The impact player rule will be there in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League. However, many cricketers likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Siraj were against that rule. They reckoned that this rule is not good for all-rounders
Injury Replacement and Player Loans
Until IPL 2024, franchises had to look for a replacement for an injured player before their seventh match of the season. From IPL 2025, teams can replace an injured player up to the 12th match in the league stage. At the same time, the player loan rule has not been used yet, but the IPL has decided to reinstate the player loan process. It can only be activated during the season.
New rule regarding uncapped players
According to the official statement of IPL- If a capped Indian player has not played in the starting XI in international cricket (Test matches, ODIs, T20 Internationals) in the last five calendar years preceding the organization of the respective season or does not have a central contract with the BCCI, he will become uncapped. This rule will apply only to Indian players. The change in the rule means that former Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Dhoni, who last played for the Indian team against New Zealand in 2019, will now be seen as an uncapped player for IPL 2025.
Newly introduced match fee for IPL
A match fee has been introduced in the history of 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.
New rule for players who miss IPL due to personal reasons
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.
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