The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is gearing up for a mega auction, which promises to be a significant event for the franchises and fans alike. According to the latest reports, teams are likely to be allowed five player retentions and the return of the Right to Match (RTM) card. The auction is expected to take place towards the end of 2024, possibly in November or December, with a salary purse ranging between INR 115-120 crore for each team. Here’s what you need to know.
Retentions: 5 Players and 1 RTM Card
In a major update, the IPL governing council is reportedly set to allow teams to retain up to five players ahead of the 2025 auction. This is a change from the previous seasons where teams could only retain four players. Additionally, the Right to Match (RTM) card is making a comeback. The RTM allows a franchise to buy back one of its former players by matching the highest bid made for that player during the auction.
The option of retaining five players and using one RTM card could provide teams with more stability and the chance to keep their core squad intact. This will be the most number of retentions allowed in IPL history, surpassing the five-player retention rule in the 2018 mega auction, where teams could use a combination of direct retentions and RTM cards.
See Also:- MI IPL 2025 – Retained & Released Players List
What is the RTM Card?
The Right to Match (RTM) card gives a team the power to match the final bid for a player they had released into the auction. For example, if a player from a team like Chennai Super Kings is bid upon by another team, CSK can use the RTM to buy back the player by matching the highest bid. The RTM was last used in the 2018 auction but was scrapped for the 2022 edition.
Read Also:- IPL 2025 Retained Players List
IPL 2025 Salary Purse: INR 115-120 Crores
Another big development is the expected increase in the salary purse for each franchise. As per various reports, the total purse for IPL 2025 could be between INR 115 to INR 120 crore. This increase will allow teams more financial flexibility to bid on top players, both Indian and overseas, and build stronger squads.
While the official retention slabs and salary caps are yet to be confirmed, this larger purse will enable franchises to strategically retain key players while also making competitive bids for new talent during the auction.
See Also:- IPL 2025 Mega Auction Rules
Overseas & Indian Player Retention: No Clear Guidelines Yet
Though the retention rules are likely to allow five players per team, there is still no confirmation on how many of these can be overseas or Indian players. In previous seasons, teams could retain up to three Indian players. This rule could potentially change for IPL 2025, allowing teams more flexibility in choosing the composition of their retained squad.
Similarly, there is no clarity on the retention slabs, which determine the financial implications for each player retained. These slabs will likely be announced before the auction.
IPL 2025 Mega Auction to Be Held in the Middle East?
In a surprising twist, reports suggest that the IPL 2025 auction might be held outside of India, possibly in the Middle East. This would be the first time the IPL auction is held overseas. The likely venue is expected to be in the United Arab Emirates, which has hosted IPL matches in the past, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The exact date of the auction is expected to be finalized soon, but it is likely to take place towards the end of November or early December 2024.
Read Also:- RCB IPL 2025 – Retained & Released Players List
Summary of Points:
- Five Retentions: Teams will likely be allowed to retain five players, the highest in IPL history.
- RTM Card Return: The Right to Match card will allow teams to buy back one player by matching the highest auction bid.
- Salary Purse: Teams will have a purse of INR 115-120 crore for the auction, giving them more financial power to build their squads.
- Unclear Player Composition: No confirmation yet on how many Indian and overseas players can be retained.
- Auction Venue: The IPL 2025 mega auction may be held outside India, possibly in the Middle East.
With the retention rules expected to favor teams looking to build long-term strategies, the IPL 2025 auction is shaping up to be one of the most exciting events in recent memory. Fans can expect some intense bidding wars as teams look to strengthen their rosters with the best talent available. Stay tuned for more updates as the official announcements are made.
