IPL 2025 Retentions: Everything About the Modified RTM Rule and the New Auction Purse Limit

Still confused about the IPL 2025 retention and auction rules? This guide will explain the important details you need to know about the modified Right-to-Match (RTM) rule, the increased auction purse, and other crucial IPL auction regulations. Let’s break it all down in simple terms.

How Many Retentions Are Allowed?

Franchises can now retain up to six players from their 2024 squad before the IPL 2025 mega auction. These six players can include:

• A maximum of five capped players.
• A maximum of two uncapped Indian players.

This is the highest number of retentions ever allowed by the IPL. The aim is to help teams keep their core players and maintain consistency.

Is There a Limit on Indian or Overseas Retentions?

For the first time, there is no nationality restriction on capped players. This means that the five capped retentions can all be Indians, all overseas players, or a combination of both. This gives franchises the freedom to choose the best mix for their team.

Will There Be a Right-to-Match (RTM) Card Option?

Yes, the Right-to-Match (RTM) card is back for IPL 2025. Franchises can use a combination of outright retentions and RTM cards to keep up to six players. Here’s how it works:

• If no players are retained, a franchise can enter the auction with six RTM cards.
• If all six players are retained, no RTM cards will be available for the auction.

The RTM card allows teams to buy back a player from their previous squad by matching the highest bid made for that player during the auction.

What Is the Modified RTM Rule?

The RTM rule has a new twist. In earlier auctions, if a team wanted to use an RTM card, they could simply match the highest bid to retain their player. But in IPL 2025, there’s an additional step:

• If a team wants to use the RTM card, the franchise with the highest bid gets one last opportunity to raise their bid further.
• If the bidding franchise raises their offer, the original team must match that increased bid using the RTM card to keep the player.

For example, if Mumbai Indians bid INR 6 crore for a player like Venkatesh Iyer, who was previously with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), KKR can use their RTM card. However, Mumbai Indians will then be allowed to raise their bid. If they do, KKR must match this new bid to retain Iyer.

What Is the Auction Purse?

The auction purse for the 2025 auction has been increased to INR 120 crore, up from INR 100 crore at the 2024 auction. This is a 20% increase, which gives teams more room to build a competitive squad. In comparison, the purse for the 2022 mega auction was INR 90 crore, and it has increased by INR 5 crore each year since then.

What Are the Retention Salary Caps?

The IPL has set specific salary caps for retained players. Unlike previous auctions where each retention came at a lower price, franchises now have to pay higher amounts for retaining more than three players:

• First three retentions: INR 18 crore, INR 14 crore, and INR 11 crore.
• Fourth retention: INR 18 crore.
• Fifth retention: INR 14 crore.
• Uncapped players: INR 4 crore.

If a franchise decides to retain five capped players, it will spend INR 75 crore, which is two-thirds of their total purse. This means teams need to decide if retaining many players is worth it or if they prefer entering the auction with more money.

Can a Former International Player Be Retained as Uncapped?

Yes, the IPL has brought back a rule that was scrapped after 2021. Now, Indian players who have retired or haven’t played international cricket in the past five years can be considered uncapped. This means that teams like Chennai Super Kings (CSK) can retain players like MS Dhoni as uncapped for INR 4 crore, saving their budget. This rule also applies to other former internationals like Piyush Chawla, Mohit Sharma, and Sandeep Sharma.

When Is the Deadline to Finalize Retentions?

The deadline for teams to finalize their retentions is October 31, 2024. If a player makes his international debut before this date, he will be considered a capped player. However, if a player is retained as uncapped before this date, he will stay in the uncapped category, even if he debuts internationally later.

What About Overseas Players Missing the IPL?

To prevent overseas players from withdrawing after being picked, the IPL has set a rule: any overseas player who pulls out without a legitimate reason will face a two-year ban from the league. Additionally, if an overseas player does not register for the mega auction, they will not be allowed to register for the mini auction unless they have a valid reason like injury or medical conditions.

Is There a Cap on Overseas Players’ Earnings at Mini Auctions?

Yes, there is a cap on how much overseas players can earn at mini auctions. The maximum fee will be the lower of the highest retention price (INR 18 crore) or the highest auction price at the mega auction. For example, if the highest auction price is INR 20 crore, the cap will still be INR 18 crore. If the highest price is INR 16 crore, the cap will be INR 16 crore.

How Does This Cap Affect Bidding at Mini Auctions?

The auction process will continue as usual, and the final bid will be deducted from the team’s auction purse. However, any amount above the “maximum fee” will go to the BCCI for players’ welfare.

For example, if the final bid for an overseas player is INR 24 crore but the cap is INR 18 crore, then INR 6 crore will go to the BCCI.

Can the Franchises Change the Prescribed Retention Amounts?

Yes, franchises can pay a different amount than the prescribed retention limits. If a team pays more or less, it will impact their auction purse accordingly. This happened before the 2021 mega auction, where teams like Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals adjusted their payments to retain players. However, the deductions from their purse were calculated based on the prescribed amounts, not the actual payments.

Can Players Refuse to Be Retained?

Yes, players have the right to refuse retention if they prefer to enter the auction and possibly earn a higher bid.

Conclusion: What’s New for IPL 2025 Retention Rules?

The IPL 2025 auction and retention rules bring several significant changes:

• Six-player retention is allowed, with no nationality limits.
• RTM card rules have been modified to include an extra bidding opportunity.
• The auction purse has increased to INR 120 crore.
• Salary caps for retentions have changed, with higher costs for more players.
• A revived rule allows former international players to be retained as uncapped.

Teams now face a crucial decision: whether to retain their core players at a higher cost or let them enter the auction and use RTM cards. These changes are designed to create a balance between retaining top talent and allowing competitive bidding, adding an exciting twist to the IPL 2025 mega auction.