Welcome Lykkers! Ahead of IPL 2025 new rules have been added, have you heard about it yet? The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to feature some exciting changes, particularly in the structure of the player auction.

One of the major developments is the introduction of a retention policy, where franchises will be allowed to retain a maximum of six players from their current squad before the auction.

This rule adds a strategic dimension for all teams, as they will need to make tough decisions about which core players to keep and which to release back into the auction pool. Here's an in-depth look at the key rules surrounding the IPL 2025 auction and player retention:

1. Teams Allowed Six Retentions

Franchises will be able to retain up to six players ahead of the 2025 auction. The flexibility of this rule allows teams to maintain a core group while participating actively in the auction. However, the 6 players include both domestic and overseas players, which means that franchises need to carefully balance their squads to maintain team diversity and strength.

Out of the 6 players, teams are allowed to retain a combination of both capped and uncapped players, with a limit on how many overseas players they can retain. A maximum of 4 overseas players can be retained. The rest of the retained players must be domestic, allowing for more opportunities for Indian cricketers to shine in the league.

2. Right-to-Match (RTM) Cards

Apart from the retention policy, franchises will also have the option of using a limited number of Right-to-Match (RTM) cards during the auction. This allows teams to match the highest bid for a player who was part of their squad in the previous season and retain them at the winning price. Each franchise can use up to 2 RTM cards in the auction, depending on how many players they have already retained.

The RTM card can be used for both domestic and international players. Teams need to be strategic in choosing when to use their RTM cards, as it offers an opportunity to reclaim key players who may otherwise be lost to rivals.

3. Auction Purse and Spending Limits

The total purse for each team will remain at INR 100 crore, allowing franchises to make significant investments in new talent. The retained players' salaries will be deducted from this purse. The value of each retained player will depend on the player's contract from the previous season or a mutually agreed-upon amount between the player and the franchise. If there is no agreement, the salaries will be set based on a predetermined rule by the IPL governing council.

For example:

Retaining 1 player could deduct as much as INR 16-17 crore from the purse. If teams retain multiple players, the deductions will be on a sliding scale, meaning the franchise will have less flexibility in the auction to build a strong squad.

4. Player Contracts and Salary Tiers

Franchises are expected to negotiate with players about their contracts before the retention list is finalized. For uncapped players, the salary tiers will be adjusted based on their performance in the previous seasons. This ensures that domestic talent is compensated fairly while preventing teams from over-investing in young players with less experience.

5. Focus on Youth and Emerging Talent

The new rules are designed to promote a balance between established stars and emerging players. Teams will now be more inclined to give opportunities to uncapped and younger players due to the purse limits and the strategy involved in retaining only six players. Additionally, the IPL governing council aims to make the auction more competitive by allowing franchises to overhaul their rosters.

6. Trade Window

Before the auction, a trade window will open for franchises to exchange players. Teams will have a brief period to trade players with other franchises, giving them a chance to fine-tune their squads. The trade window will follow the same financial restrictions as the auction, and both teams involved in a trade must agree on the terms, including the player's salary and contract.

7. Franchise Strategy: Tough Choices Ahead

Franchises will need to be extremely tactical about their retention strategy. The decision of which players to retain will likely hinge on a variety of factors, such as:

Player performance over recent seasons, Injuries or fitness issues, team dynamics and the need to maintain a balanced roster;

Salary cap implications and the availability of players in the auction.

By capping the number of retained players, the IPL 2025 auction will see a higher number of star players available for bidding, making it one of the most exciting auctions in recent years.

In conclusion, the retention rules for IPL 2025 are designed to foster greater competition and ensure that no single team can dominate by holding onto a large number of top players. With only 6 players being retained, and strategies like the RTM card and trade window in play, the auction promises to be a thrilling affair as franchises look to strengthen their squads.