The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly initiated the process of finalising the retention policy ahead of the much-anticipated mega auctions for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. According to reliable sources, most franchises are pushing for an increase in the number of retentions, a significant change that could reshape team strategies and the league’s competitive balance.
As reported by Cricbuzz, several IPL franchises have submitted requests to the BCCI to raise the current retention limit from four to a range between five and seven players. Intriguingly, one team has even lobbied for retention of up to eight players. However, this stance has not found unanimous support among all franchises. Some teams have expressed a desire for no retentions at all, highlighting divergent strategies and priorities among the competing sides.
In addition to the varying opinions on the number of retentions, there has also been a notable request from some franchises for the introduction of Right To Match (RTM) cards. The RTM cards, which allow teams to match the highest bid for their former players during auctions, were last used in 2021 and have remained absent since then. This suggestion underscores the complexity of balancing the interests of different franchises, each with their unique team-building philosophies.
Hemang Amin, BCCI’s Acting CEO and the official in charge of the IPL, has proactively engaged with franchise CEOs to gather their views on crucial aspects such as the upcoming salary cap and the retention policy for the next three years. The dialogues have been comprehensive, covering various strategies and potential rule changes, including the potential reintroduction of RTM cards.
The Indian cricketing board has assured that a final decision will be made public during a forthcoming meeting between team owners, planned to take place later this month. The outcome of this meeting is eagerly awaited, as it will set the tone for the next phase of IPL’s evolution.
Apart from the retention policy, the player purse—the budget allocated to each team for assembling their squad—has also been a topic of discussion. Currently, the team purse stands at Rs 100 Crore, but there is a prevailing sentiment among the franchises to increase this limit.
. Opinions vary, but the consensus appears to lean towards raising the salary cap to a range between Rs 110-120 Crore, an increment that could further escalate to Rs 120 Crore.
The proposal to increase the retention count and the budget cap reflects a broader trend among franchises to build more stable and consistent teams. Increasing the retention limit would allow teams to secure their core players, thereby fostering team stability and long-term planning. Conversely, dissenting voices argue that lesser retentions and the potential inclusion of RTM cards could make the auction more dynamic and competitive, providing opportunities for teams to rebuild more effectively.
This period of negotiation and decision-making is crucial for the future of the IPL. The league, known for its high-octane games and star-studded lineups, has always thrived on the right mix of stability and fresh talent infusion. Striking the right balance between allowing teams to retain their top players and ensuring enough movement to keep the auctions and the league dynamic is a delicate task for the BCCI.
The BCCI’s decision will not only impact team compositions but also the broader economic aspects of the league. Higher salary caps mean that players, especially top international stars, could command even heftier paychecks. This could make the league more attractive but also intensify the jockeying for top talent, both domestic and international.
While fans are eagerly waiting for the 2025 season to unfold, the decisions made in the coming weeks regarding retentions and the salary cap will be pivotal. They will determine the competitive landscape of the league and could set new precedents for how teams are built and maintained.
As the cricketing world watches with bated breath, the BCCI and IPL franchises are well aware that the decisions taken now will resonate through the forthcoming seasons, impacting not just team strategies but also the overall spectacle that the IPL promises to be. The forthcoming owners’ meeting will indeed be one of the most significant in the IPL’s history, paving the way for what could be a transformative period for the league.
