In a major announcement that has sent ripples through the cricketing community, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially set October 31, 2024, as the deadline for all ten Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises to announce their list of retained players ahead of the highly anticipated mega auction. The date will be crucial for teams as they strategize their squad compositions for the upcoming season.
Confirming the development on Saturday, the IPL Governing Council revealed that each franchise would be permitted to retain a maximum of six players. This can be achieved through direct retention or by utilizing the Right to Match (RTM) card option. This decision allows teams to build a strong core by preserving key players while also providing them the flexibility to bid effectively during the auction.
Adding further clarity, the BCCI has outlined specific rules regarding player capping. According to details released by Cricbuzz, any player making his international debut on or before October 31, 2024, will be considered a ‘capped’ player during the auction. “It may be noted that for retention purposes, any player who gets capped on or before October 31, 2024, will be considered a capped player,” the official release from the IPL stated, thus providing franchises clear guidelines on player statuses.
The franchises now face the critical task of selecting their combination for retentions and RTMs. The regulations stipulate that of the six retention/RTM slots, a maximum of five can be capped players and two can be uncapped players. This mix ensures that emerging talents get a fair chance to shine while retaining the balance of seasoned players in the teams.
In addition to adjustments in player retention rules, there has been a significant increase in the auction purse for each team, which now stands at Rs 120 crore, marking a substantial rise. This increase is expected to further intensify the bidding wars during the mega auction, making it an event to watch.
In a historic and game-changing move, the IPL has also announced that all players who are part of the playing 12 will receive a match fee of Rs 7.05 lakh per match. This was confirmed by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who expressed excitement about this development on social media.
“In a historic move to celebrate consistency and champion outstanding performances in the IPL, we are thrilled to introduce a match fee of INR 7.
.5 lakhs per game for our cricketers! A cricketer playing all league matches in a season will get Rs. 1.05 crores in addition to his contracted amount. Each franchise will allocate INR 12.60 crores as match fees for the season! This is a new era for the IPL and our players!” Jay Shah announced on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Despite the abundance of new developments, some ambiguities remain. Notably, the BCCI has yet to officially disclose details regarding retention slabs. Reports suggest that the first player retained by a franchise could command a price of Rs 18 crore, but an official confirmation is still awaited.
Moreover, a noteworthy update centers around Indian players who have not represented the national team in the last five years or do not hold a BCCI contract during the said period. As per reinstated rules scrapped in 2021, such players will now be classified as uncapped players. This rule revision has opened intriguing possibilities, particularly for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who now have the option to retain their legendary captain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player for the next season.
As October 31, 2024, approaches, franchises are on the clock to make their final decisions regarding player retentions. The landscape of the IPL is set to shift as teams tactically evaluate and optimize their squads within the newly defined parameters. The upcoming mega auction promises to be a pivotal event that will reshape the competitive dynamics of the league, bringing excitement and anticipation to fans worldwide.
Cricketing enthusiasts and analysts alike will be closely watching to see which strategies will unfold as the franchises navigate the complex and thrilling process of player retention and auction bidding. The deadline is more than just a date; it is a critical milestone that sets the stage for a spectacular season of IPL cricket.
