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September 30, 2024
The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council has recently announced substantial changes to player rules ahead of the highly anticipated mega auction for the IPL 2025 season. These new regulations, designed to ensure a fair and competitive environment, will considerably impact team compositions and player retention.
Among the fundamental changes, franchises can now retain six players from their existing squad. This can be achieved through traditional retention and the Right to Match (RTM) method. Additionally, teams can choose their preferred combination of Retentions and RTMs, further diversifying the talent pool and strategies employed during the auction.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council has recently unveiled a series of significant changes to player regulations for the upcoming IPL 2025 season, generating considerable buzz and discussion among fans and experts alike. Among the most noteworthy changes is the reintroduction of the Right to Match (RTM) card, offering teams an additional opportunity to retain their top talent.
In addition to the return of the RTM card, the updated regulations include increasing team purse value and establishing new match fees for every game. A fundamental change allowing franchises to retain up to six players for the following season grants teams greater flexibility in building and maintaining their core lineups. The team purse has been increased to INR 120 crore, further boosting the financial capabilities of each franchise. Furthermore, the IPL Governing Council has clarified that all Indian players who have not participated in international matches for a minimum of five calendar years will be classified as “uncapped players.” This new classification opens up additional opportunities for domestic talent to shine in the IPL arena have also been implemented to address unexpected withdrawals of international players before the season’s commencement. The following is a comprehensive list of the newly introduced player regulations for the highly anticipated IPL 2025 season.
Criteria | Rules |
Retentios | Teams can retain 6 players using retention, or Right to Match (RTM), or a combination of both. |
Player Mix | Maximum 5 capped and up to 2 uncapped players can be retained. |
Salary Cap | Auction purse is INR 120 Crore for 2025, with performance pay INR 146 Crore in 2025, INR 151 Crore in 2026, and INR 157 Crore in 2027. |
Match Fees | Players earn INR 7.5 Lakhs per match, in addition to their contract (Performance Pay) |
Overseas Registration | Overseas players must register for the auction; otherwise, they’re ineligible for the next year. |
No Show Penalty | Players unavailable post bought in auction face a 2-season ban. |
Capped to Uncapped | A player becomes when he has not featured in India’s Playing XI in any of the international matches five years preceding the 2025 season, or has not held a BCCI central contract in the last five years preceding the current one. |
Impact Player Rule | Continues through 2027. |
In the IPL Auction 2025, players are categorized into ‘Capped,’ ‘Uncapped,’ and ‘Overseas.’ A ‘Capped’ player has represented their national team in an official international match. Additionally, an Indian player who has not been part of the playing XI in any international format or held a BCCI central contract within the last five years is considered an ‘Uncapped’ player. Lastly, an ‘Overseas’ category player has not played for the Indian national team.
These classifications help organize the players participating in the auction and provide a better understanding of their experience levels and potential value to IPL teams. By dividing players into these categories, teams can strategize their bidding tactics more effectively and assemble a well-balanced squad for the upcoming IPL season.
Understanding the Base Price in IPL Auctions
The base price in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction significantly impacts the bidding process. It is an amount predetermined by the players, ranging from INR 10 lakh to less than INR 2 crore. No participant is allowed to bid below this set price. Capped players with a strong track record in international cricket tend to command higher base prices.
Right to Match (RTM) Card
The Right to Match (RTM) card allows a franchise to retain a player during the auction by matching the highest bid made by another team. Introduced in the 2017 mega auction but removed before the 2022 mega auction, this option has been updated to benefit players. The highest bidder has one final opportunity to increase their bid before the RTM-holding team exercises their right.
Retention Rules and Limitations
IPL franchises are subject to retention rules, which dictate how many players they can keep before the auction. In the current format, teams can retain a maximum of six players through a mix of the RTM option and standard retention, with no more than two uncapped players.
Salary Cap for IPL Auction 2025
The salary cap for the IPL Auction 2025 is crucial for maintaining financial fairness among franchises. Each team has a total purse of INR 120 crore to spend on players. For the first three retentions, franchises must pay INR 18 crore, INR 14 crore, and INR 11 crore, respectively. The next two retentions will each cost INR 18 crore and INR 14 crore. Uncapped players have a fixed price of INR 4 crore. All retained players’ salaries will be deducted from the team’s purse.
Retained Player 1 – Capped INR18 crore
Retained Player 2 – Capped INR 14 crore
Retained Player 3 – Capped INR 11 crore
Retained Player 4 – Capped INR 18 crore
Retained Player 5 – Capped INR 14 crore
Retained Player 6 – Uncapped INR 04 crore
Squad Size Regulations in IPL
Each franchise in the Indian Premier League must maintain a balanced squad size. The team should consist of a minimum of 18 players and a maximum of 25 players, ensuring adequate depth and options for strategic team selection throughout the season.
Registration Process for IPL Auction
To participate in the IPL auction, players must complete a registration form provided by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This form collects personal details, cricketing records, and auction preferences. Once registered, players enter the auction pool. During the pre-auction scouting, franchises may contact players directly to secure their services and guide them through the process.
Unsold Players’ Opportunities
Even if players go unsold during the IPL auction, they still have several opportunities to secure a spot on a team. Furthermore, players who initially go unsold are given another chance during the accelerated auction, where teams can request specific players to be reintroduced for bidding. If a player remains unsold following the auction, they may still be signed as an injury replacement before or during the season, ensuring they can contribute to a team’s success in the IPL.
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