IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Franchises get six retention slots, RTM returns

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Mega Auction is set to bring significant changes that will shape the future of the tournament. With new rules around player retention, the return of the Right to Match (RTM) card, and the continuation of the Impact Player rule, franchises will need to rethink their strategies ahead of the auction. The auction purse has also increased, offering more flexibility for teams to secure top talent.

Overseas Players for IPL 2025 Auction

All overseas players wishing to participate in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction must register for the event. Failure to register will result in ineligibility for the following year’s player auction. Players who register for the auction but subsequently become unavailable before the start of the season will face a two-season ban from the tournament and future player auctions.

Key Highlights of IPL 2025 Auction Rules

• Retention of Six Players
  Franchises can now retain up to six players, but this comes with new stipulations. At least one of these players must be an uncapped Indian player, while the other five can be a combination of Indian or overseas players. Maximum two uncapped Indian players can be retain by any franchise. The retention can be done through direct retention, a combination of retention and RTM options, or solely through RTM.
• Right to Match (RTM) Returns
  The RTM option, which allows franchises to match the highest bid for one of their previously released players during the auction, is back for IPL 2025. This gives teams an additional layer of flexibility in retaining key players after they have entered the auction pool.
• Bigger Auction Purse
  The auction purse has been increased to ₹120 crore (approximately US$14.33 million), which is ₹20 crore more than last year. This increase will help franchises manage their spending better, especially given the cost of retaining top players.

Retention Slabs and Purse Deduction for IPL 2025

Franchises that choose to retain players will face significant deductions from their auction purse. Here’s how the purse will be affected for retaining five players:

• For the first three retentions:
• ₹18 crore
• ₹14 crore
• ₹11 crore
• For the remaining two retentions:
• ₹18 crore
• ₹14 crore

In total, franchises that retain five players will lose ₹75 crore from their overall auction purse of ₹120 crore. For franchises opting to retain six players, including one uncapped player, the total deduction will be ₹79 crore, leaving just ₹41 crore for the auction.

Uncapped Player Retention and MS Dhoni

One of the most intriguing aspects of the new rules is the revival of the rule allowing retired Indian players who have been out of international cricket for at least five years to be considered uncapped. This rule could allow Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to retain their former captain, MS Dhoni, as an uncapped player. If CSK chooses to do so, Dhoni would be retained for ₹4 crore, significantly reducing their retention cost.

This rule was initially instituted in 2008 but was never utilised and scrapped in 2021. Its revival could offer a strategic advantage to franchises with veteran players like Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020 but continues to play in the IPL.

Impact Player Rule Here to Stay

The controversial yet impactful Impact Player rule will remain in place for IPL 2025. Introduced in the 2023 season, this rule allows teams to substitute a player from their playing XI with a specialist batter or bowler during the match, depending on the situation. While this rule has been debated for its influence on Indian cricket and player development, most franchises support its continuation.

The rule has contributed to several high-scoring matches, with nine of the ten highest totals in IPL history being recorded since its introduction. The IPL believes that the rule enhances the excitement for spectators by allowing teams to adapt to the game’s flow and create thrilling spectacles.

What Lies Ahead?

With these new rules, IPL 2025 promises to be an exciting season of cricket. Franchises will need to carefully consider their retention strategies while keeping an eye on their remaining auction purse. The return of the RTM card, the increased purse, and the continuation of the Impact Player rule are all set to create a dynamic auction environment.

Summary of Key Points

• Franchises can retain up to six players, with at least one uncapped Indian.
• The Right to Match (RTM) option returns, allowing franchises to match bids for released players.
• The auction purse has been increased to ₹120 crore.
• Retaining five players will cost a franchise ₹75 crore, while six players, including one uncapped, will cost ₹79 crore.
• CSK can retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player under a revived rule.
• The Impact Player rule remains, allowing strategic substitutions during matches.

With these developments, IPL 2025 is set to mark a new era in the league’s history, with teams needing to balance financial management and player retention to succeed in the tournament.