Preparations for the IPL 2025 mega auction are underway, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to make an official announcement regarding player retention soon. Media reports suggest that the board may make this announcement on Thursday, although no official information has been released yet.
Meeting Between BCCI and Franchises
Recently, BCCI officials met with the owners of all ten IPL franchises to discuss player retention. Most teams expressed a desire to retain five to six players, believing that keeping veteran players would help secure their brand value.
Retention of Four Players Before IPL 2022
Before IPL 2022, the BCCI allowed teams to retain four players, with a maximum of three Indian players and two foreign players. However, it remains unclear how many foreign players a franchise can retain this time.
Mumbai Indians Set to Benefit
According to a report by The Indian Express, the potential to retain five players has drawn attention to the Mumbai Indians. Their core team has remained largely unchanged over the last decade, but after a disappointing performance under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy this year, it will be interesting to see how they manage their retentions. The BCCI has yet to determine the costs associated with retaining players for the upcoming auction.
Also Read- Report: When Will BCCI Announce IPL 2025 Retention Rules?
Before IPL 2022, the Mumbai Indians retained four players: Rohit Sharma (16 crore), Jasprit Bumrah (12 crore), Suryakumar Yadav (8 crore), and Kieron Pollard (6 crore). Rohit was the highest-paid player among them. This time, it will be intriguing to see which players benefit from the retention policy.
Dhoni’s Future Hangs in the Balance
Additionally, all eyes are on MS Dhoni, as his future hinges on the BCCI’s retention policy. The BCCI is currently considering strategies for IPL 2024, and several franchises have already prioritized the players they wish to retain. Some franchises have requested to increase the retention cap to eight players, while others are not keen on retaining any players at all. The final retention number is likely to be five or six, but the BCCI has yet to issue formal notification on this matter.
Demand for the Mega Auction
After determining the number of players to be retained, this year’s auction is expected to be a significant one. During a recent BCCI meeting, franchises requested to postpone the auction for a year, citing the need for continuity. Most teams believe mega auctions should occur every four to five years. The last two mega auctions were held in four-year cycles (2018 and 2022).
Some media reports indicate that Shah Rukh Khan, co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, voiced support for not holding a mega auction this year. Besides KKR, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Gujarat Titans are also in favor of postponing the mega auction. However, the final decision rests with the BCCI.
Franchise Demands
Before IPL 2025, franchises have requested that the mega auction cycle be extended to five years. They are also seeking permission to retain four to six players and a minimum of eight Right to Match (RTM) options for each team.
