The IPL 2024 might be underway but BCCI and the franchises have already begun preparations for IPL 2025 Mega Auction. And things are not going smoothly. The growing stature of the IPL franchises has given them more power in BCCI meetings. And now, the two are at loggerheads over the number of retentions and the possibility of reintroducing RTM cards (Right to match) ahead of the IPL2025 Auction.
With the discussions still taking place, the grand meeting between franchises and the BCCI has been put on hold. Both parties are not happy over the demands for IPL 2025 Auction.
What does BCCI want?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants to have a mega auction that sees all the teams undergo an overhaul. In the last mega auction in 2022, BCCI allowed 4 retentions including 2 overseas players and 2 uncapped Indian players.
But the Indian board has a different view. It wants only one retention per team but use as many as 7 RTMs. That way, some of the big-name players who have not been on the auction table for long could be up for grabs. It will help generate more viewership on TV and could allow BCCI to ask for a greater broadcast deal in future.
And if that happens, players like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah or Mayank Yadav could be available at the IPL 2025 Auction.
“It’s too early to say we have come to a decision or we are imposing something on the franchises. Of course, there would be reservations and that is why we have sought recommendations. The number of retentions and RTMs are all speculative right now. No decisions have been made in that regard,” a BCCI official told InsideSport.
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What do franchises want?
Rebuilding a team from scratch is a difficult task as the franchises need to give up on consistency and continuity. No franchises want that. That’s why many franchises are in favour of as many as 8 pre-auction retentions. That would allow them to have the core of the team intact.
Franchises earlier urged the board to scrap mega auctions. Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal was public about that.
“It is heartbreaking to lose Shreyas Iyer, Shikhar Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada and Ashwin. The auction process is like this. Going forward, the IPL needs to look at it because it is not fair that you build up a team, give youngsters a chance, groom them and then you lose them after three years. IPL needs to have a relook,” Parth Jindal said back in 2021.
Many of the franchises still believe that they should be allowed more retentions, as many as 8 or more before IPL 2025 Auction.
“Look, it’s pretty simple, right? We invest in potential and build squads accordingly with a vision that they will give us results maybe next year or the next. Now, if you are forced to release those players with everyone trying to get him, the entire plan goes for a toss. Why would then anyone invest in scouting when you know some other team could get that player,” a franchise official told InsideSport.
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