At last, BCCI has announced the most awaited IPL Retention Rules for the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. On Saturday, 28 September, the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council released the retention players rules and dusted off all the other IPL rules including RTM (Right-to-Match card), IPL Team Purse, overseas and uncapped players retention, etc.
Since the BCCI and IPL franchises meeting, cricket aficionados have been scratching their heads with questions like “How many players can be retained in IPL 2025”, “Is Dhoni retained in IPL 2025” and Who will RCB, MI retain ahead of IPL 18 season.
In this blog, you will get answers to each question regarding the upcoming IPL 2025 Mega Auction. So without further ado let’s begin with the IPL 2025 retention rule-
What is the number of retentions in the IPL 2025?
Ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, an IPL team can retain upto 6 players with no restriction on nationality. The BCCI has reintroduced the retention and RTM rule, according to which IPL franchise can retain upto 6 players from the existing squad either via retention or using an RTM card including uncapped players.
How many capped, overseas, and uncapped players can be retained in IPL 2025?
As we mentioned above only six players can be retained – a maximum of 5 capped players Indian or overseas and a maximum of two uncapped players will be held ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. However, retention may affect the IPL team’s purse ahead of the Mega Auction.
How many RTMs are in IPL 2025?
Ahead of IPL 2025, the BCCI has introduced the polished version of RTM or Right To Match Card. Each IPL team can use a maximum of six RTM in the IPL Mega Auction. As per Jay Shah, BCCI Secretary, “It is at the discretion of the IPL franchise to choose their combination for Retentions and RTMs.” This means the number of the RTM depends on the number of retentions. For example, If four players are retained by the retention rule only two players can be retained via RTM.
What is the IPL Purse for the IPL franchise in IPL 2025?
The IPL purse for each IPL team has been set to Rs 120 crore. The total salary cap will now consist of an auction purse, incremental performance pay, and match fees. A team with five retained will cost Rs 75 crore and purse left with Rs 45 crore for the IPL Mega Auction.
What is the “Pay More To Retain More Policy” in IPL 2025?
BCCI has reintroduced the retention rule as per the new regulations, each IPL team has to pay more to retain the existing capped (Indian or Overseas players) or uncapped players.
According to Jay Shah the policy of “pay more to retain more” has been devised. The retention amount will be reduced from the IPL purse finalized at Rs. 120 crore for a team. Here is the list of retained capped players‘ salaries distribution-
- Player 1 – Rs 18 crore
- Player 2 – Rs 14 crore
- Player 3 – Rs 11 crore
- Player 4 – Rs 18 crore
- Player 5 – Rs 14 crore
What is the retention salary for the uncapped players?
Apart from five capped retentions, the IPL franchise can retain one uncapped player including those Indian cricketers who haven’t played in international cricket for five or more years. The salary cap for the retained uncapped players is Rs 4 crore.
Is Dhoni retained in IPL 2025?
Yes, as we mentioned above players who haven’t made their International cricket appearance for five years are allowed into IPL 2025 auction as an uncapped player. This means Thala aka MS Dhoni can return to the IPL 2025 as an uncapped player.
Is Impact Rule in IPL 2025?
The Indian Premier League governing body has decided to go on with the Impact rule and enforced it for the 2025 to 2027 cycle. Introduced in the IPL 2023 season allows teams to replace a player in the starting 11 with a sub-player during a match. Previously, it was allowed to replace up to the 7th league match. From IPL 2025, the replacements will be allowed up to the 12th league match.
Apart from these essential IPL 2025 rules, BCCI has announced a match fee of Rs 7.5 Lakh per match for the first time in the IPL history. Accordingly, each 11 player and sub-player will receive the Rs 7.5 lakh match fees, in addition to the contracted amount.
Another important factor included is that IPL registration has been mandatory for overseas players. In which a foreign player must register for the mega auction otherwise he will be omitted for the following season. This rule will strictly apply, the only exception will be in case of an injury / medical condition which will be informed by the home board before the IPL 2025.
Last but not least, no more last-minute withdrawal
The BCCI and IPL franchises faced a lot of problems when many overseas players backed out from the tournament in the 2024 season. In the latest edition if a player cancels or withdraws from the IPL after selection he will be banned for the 2 seasons of the Indian Premier League.
FAQs
Q 1 Can an uncapped player be retained in the IPL?
Ans. Yes, each IPL team can retain upto two uncapped players in the IPL 2025.
Q 2 Can a player reject retention in the IPL?
Ans. Yes, a player can reject retention but will have to go under the hammer in the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Q 3 What are match fees in the IPL 2025?
Ans. For the first time, match fees have been introduced in the IPL 2025
Ahead of IPL 2025, Each player will receive Rs 7.5 Lakh per match.
