The IPL 2025 retention rules are out and released on 28th September. With many surprising changes with RTM, impact players, IPL match fees for players, and strict rules for overseas players one more thing is clear.
No more “most expensive IPL player” in IPL 2025
In fact, Mitchell Starc will be the last one who holds the record for the most expensive IPL player in the history of the tournament after joining KKR for the colossal amount of Rs 24.75 crore in IPL 2024.
The BCCI has set the maximum retained amount for the capped (Indian or Overseas player) of Rs 18 crore. This means that even if Mitchell Starc is retained by the Kolkata-based franchise there will be no more Mitchell Starc getting Rs 25 crore in IPL Auction.
The same goes for Pat Cummins, the second most expensive player in the IPL 2024 auction acquired by the Sunrisers Hyderabad for the whopping amount of Rs 20.50 crore.
The highest retention price for the IPL 2025 is Rs 18 crore or US$ 2.1 million approx. in the Mega auction. Even if a player goes under the hammer in the IPL 2025 auction, there is no chance any capped (Indian or overseas) player can go higher than Rs 18 crore.
Here’s the reason why there will be no more “most expensive IPL player” in the IPL 2025 tournament-
According to refined IPL 2025 retention rules, an IPL team can only retain 6 players- five capped and 1 uncapped. BCCI has also enforced the “Pay more, to retain more” in which retained players’ salary has been decided already.
- 1st capped player – Rs 18 Crore
- 2nd Capped player – Rs 14 Crore
- 3rd Capped Player – Rs 11 Crore
- 4th Capped Player – Rs 18 Crore
- 5th Capped Player – Rs 14 Crore
- 6th Uncapped Player – Rs 4 Crore
Franchises can be retained directly or via RTM card in the Meaga auction. But if the franchise goes berserk and retains all five capped players with Rs 75 crore out of the total IPL purse amount of Rs 120. They will be left with only Rs 45 crore to enter the IPL 2025 Mega auction.
Even if the franchise retained 2 or 3 key players, the IPL purse money is so tight that there is no chance that the franchise will go over the board and spend more than Rs 25 crore on one player in the MEga Auction. Hence, there will be no more “Most Expensive IPL Player” in the IPL 2025.
