IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Key Rules, Six Retentions, and RTM Comeback Confirmed

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council has announced the much-anticipated rules for the IPL 2025 mega auction, bringing new strategies and opportunities for all ten franchises. Key highlights include retention policies, a confirmed return of the Right to Match (RTM) card, and an increased budget for team-building. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you need to know.

IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Key Rules, Six Retentions, and RTM Comeback Confirmed

Retention Rules for IPL 2025: Five Retentions and RTM Explained

The upcoming IPL 2025 season has brought a change in retention policy compared to the 2022 edition. Franchises will now be able to retain up to five players instead of the four allowed earlier. This means each team can secure the core members of their squad, giving them a strong foundation to build on for the upcoming season.

No Limit on Indian and Overseas Players:

Teams can choose any combination of Indian and overseas players among their five retentions. This freedom ensures that franchises can pick a balanced mix based on their specific requirements, without being restricted by nationality.

Right to Match Card (RTM) Returns: Extra Advantage for Strategic Teams

Another major update is the comeback of the Right to Match (RTM) card, which was last seen in earlier editions of the IPL auctions. The RTM card is a powerful tool that allows teams to match the highest bid for a player they had previously released during the auction. This helps franchises retain key players without getting into direct bidding wars.

Extra RTM Cards for Unused Retention Slots:
Teams also get an additional RTM card for each retention slot they don’t use. For instance, if a team chooses to retain only three players instead of the maximum five, they will receive two extra RTM cards, making their total RTM count three. This feature is designed to encourage flexibility and reward strategic planning.

How Much Does Each Retention Cost in IPL?

With a total purse of INR 120 crore, the cost of retaining players is outlined clearly:

  1. 1st Retention: INR 18 crore
  2. 2nd Retention: INR 14 crore
  3. 3rd Retention: INR 11 crore
  4. 4th Retention: INR 18 crore
  5. 5th Retention: INR 14 crore

To retain all five players, a team will need to spend INR 75 crore from their total budget of INR 120 crore. This breakdown ensures that franchises must carefully plan their expenses and balance between retaining top players and building the rest of the squad.

Increased Budget for IPL 2025: INR 120 Crore Purse

The purse for the IPL 2025 mega auction has been increased to INR 120 crore, up from INR 100 crore in the previous edition. This boost provides more flexibility for teams to scout, buy, and build their squads effectively. Teams now have greater financial muscle to acquire both emerging talents and seasoned professionals.

Uncapped Player Price:

The price for an uncapped player has been set at INR 4 crore, consistent with the pricing strategy from the 2021 mega auction. This means that teams must consider the value and future potential of uncapped players while budgeting for their squads.

Impact Player Rule to Continue

Another major confirmation from the IPL Governing Council is that the Impact Player rule will continue in the IPL 2025 season. This rule allows teams to bring in a substitute player during a match, adding a layer of strategy and flexibility to gameplay. The continuation of this rule ensures that the dynamic nature of IPL matches remains, giving teams an extra edge in critical situations.

Summary: Strategic Squad Building for IPL 2025

The retention and RTM rules for IPL 2025 provide an interesting balance of stability and flexibility for the franchises. Teams can now retain up to five players, use RTM cards strategically, and work with an increased purse of INR 120 crore to build a well-rounded squad. The freedom to choose between Indian and foreign retentions and the continuation of the Impact Player rule add layers of strategy to the upcoming season.

Rivcky John

A prominent figure in sports journalism for the last two decades. Cricket Analyst & Writing News, Features, Match Previews/Reviews/Reports, And Opinion Pieces on Cricket. You can connect with him on Facebook also.