The IPL 2025 mega auction is still five months away, but conversations regarding player retention and salary caps have already begun. To finalize the number of player retentions and salary caps, the BCCI will meet with franchise owners. The date for the meeting isn’t certain yet because the franchises have yet to confirm their availability, but it’ll most likely take place on July 30 or 31. According to Cricbuzz, the meeting is expected to take place at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium instead of a five-star hotel where these meetings have previously been held.
Fight over number of retentions
The tete-e-tete is taking place a couple of weeks after the BCCI initiated the process by asking the franchise for their opinions on player retentions, salary caps, and Right To Match (RTM) cards. The results that the board received had them perplexed, with teams differing in the number of player retentions. Some franchises wanted as many as 8, while others wanted nothing more than 4.
More money for players & franchises
The RTM, which hasn’t been in effect in the IPL auctions since 2018, may come back if the franchise owners’ opinions align. The only thing they agree with is the increase in the salary cap. As reported earlier, franchises wanted a 20% increase, which means they’d have Rs 120 crore instead of Rs 100 crore in their player purchasing purse at the IPL 2025 mega auction.
The salary of the top retainer will also increase if the salary cap increases. Generally, the salary of the top retention player is around 16–17% of the salary cap; in the last season, the top retained players got Rs 17 crore as the cap was Rs 100 crore. This time around, it could be around Rs 20.5 crore. However, this isn’t confirmed yet, and the BCCI will explain the formula for calculating the top retention player salary with the franchise in time.
IPL salary cap over the years
| IPL Auction | Salary Cap |
|---|---|
| 2008 | $5 million |
| 2009 | $7 million |
| 2010 | $7 million |
| 2011 | $9 million |
| 2012 | $9 million |
| 2013 | $12.5 million |
| 2014 | Rs 60 crore |
| 2015 | Rs 63 crore |
| 2016 | Rs 66 crore |
| 2017 | Rs 66 crore |
| 2018 | Rs 80 crore |
| 2019 | Rs 82 crore |
| 2020 | Rs 85 crore |
| 2021 | Rs 90 crore |
| 2022 | Rs 90 crore |
| 2023 | Rs 95 crore |
| 2024 | Rs 100 crore |
| 2025 | Rs 120 crore (expected) |
