IPL Retention: Deadline For Teams to Finalise Their Retained Players List Announced

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council has announced the retention guidelines and deadlines for all franchises ahead of the mega auction for the 2025 season. All 10 teams are required to submit their list of retained players by 5 PM IST on October 31, 2024. This announcement comes as part of the new IPL player regulations set for the 2025-27 period, which includes a number of significant updates regarding player retention and team finances.

 

Six Player Retentions Allowed

According to the new rules, each franchise will be allowed to retain a maximum of six players from their previous squad. This can be done either through the traditional retention method or by using the Right to Match (RTM) card. However, the retention rules come with strict financial implications, with Rs 75 crore to be deducted from the enhanced team purse of Rs 120 crore if the maximum number of retentions is used.

Teams are allowed to retain up to five capped players, which can include both Indian and overseas players. A maximum of two uncapped players can also be retained. For any uncapped player retained, a flat amount of Rs 4 crore will be deducted from the team’s purse. These regulations aim to provide teams with flexibility while maintaining a level playing field during the auction.

Additionally, the retention values for players have been disclosed. According to reports, the first retention will cost a franchise Rs 18 crore, the second Rs 14 crore, and the third Rs 11 crore. If a team decides to retain a fourth and fifth player, they will have to pay Rs 18 crore and Rs 14 crore, respectively.

 

Enhanced Salary Purse and Player Compensation

In a move to ensure fair player compensation, the BCCI has introduced a fixed match fee of Rs 7.50 lakh for every player selected to play in IPL games, with an additional Rs 1.05 crore income above their base salaries. This is expected to encourage more player participation, especially for Indian domestic players. Franchises will also need to reserve Rs 12.60 crore from their salary budget in addition to the Rs 120 crore auction purse.

 

Impact on Overseas Players

The IPL Governing Council has also introduced stricter rules regarding overseas players. In recent years, some foreign players have withdrawn from the tournament citing reasons such as fatigue or other commitments, leaving franchises in difficult positions. To address this, the BCCI plans to impose a two-year ban on any player who pulls out of the tournament after being picked at the auction. This rule also applies to players who skip registering for the auction in any given year. If a player fails to register for a year, they will be barred from participating for the next two seasons.

 

Special Rule for Retired Players

In a reintroduced rule from 2021, players who retired from international cricket five years ago are eligible to enter the auction as uncapped players. This could allow teams like Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to retain players such as MS Dhoni, who last played for India in the 2019 ODI World Cup. This option could also benefit other franchises aiming to retain veteran players for leadership and mentoring roles.

 

As the IPL heads into another thrilling season, the focus will be on how teams manage their retentions and prepare for a competitive auction in what is expected to be one of the most financially significant IPL auctions yet.