The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce new rules for player retention before the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, which will happen soon. Fans and franchises are waiting for this announcement as it could change team strategies for the next season.
There are also reports that the IPL auction might be held outside India this time, with November being a possible month. As per reports, IPL teams may be allowed to keep up to five players from their current squads. However, the Right to Match (RTM) option, which lets teams match the highest bid for a player, is likely to be removed. This change could bring a new twist to the auction and how teams plan for the next season.
IPL 2025 Player Retention
The new player retention rules could benefit teams like Mumbai Indians, who may get a chance to keep key players such as Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya. In a recent meeting at the BCCI headquarters, the owners of all 10 IPL teams discussed player retention, with many supporting the idea of allowing teams to keep 5-6 players. This would help teams maintain continuity and protect the brand value they have built over the years. However, the BCCI aims to balance continuity with keeping the auction competitive and fair for all teams.
A key question still under discussion is whether teams can retain more than two overseas players, but there is no confirmation yet. The retention costs for players are also not finalized, leaving some uncertainty for the teams as they prepare for the auction. Despite a challenging season under Hardik Pandya’s leadership, Mumbai Indians may still retain their core group of star players, as the franchise is known for its consistent lineup.
Other teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals are also eager to retain their top players. Some franchises have even requested the BCCI to delay the major player auction, which usually happens every four or five years. KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan has also suggested postponing the auctions to help teams keep the talent they have invested in. The last major auctions took place in 2018 and 2022, and many teams prefer stability over frequent large-scale changes to their rosters.
The next IPL auction is expected to happen in November, possibly outside India. There were rumours that CSK management had asked to keep MS Dhoni as an uncapped player, but CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan denied these claims. If the ‘uncapped player rule,’ which was removed in 2021, is brought back, CSK fans may get to see Dhoni in the yellow jersey once again.
BCCI Plans to Introduce Five-Player Retention Rule for IPL Teams
According to recent reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is thinking about a new rule that would let each IPL team keep up to five players before the mega-auction. If this rule gets approved, it would benefit well-established teams as they can hold onto almost half of their playing XI.
This would help teams keep the core players who have contributed to their success, ensuring consistency and a strong base for future seasons. By retaining key players, teams can maintain their chemistry and build on past performances, which is important for long-term success in the competitive IPL tournament.
