Bengaluru: The IPL Governing Council has introduced significant changes for the upcoming season, allowing franchises to retain a maximum of six players, either through retention or using the Right to Match (RTM) card. This new rule will cost teams ₹75 crore out of an enhanced team purse of ₹120 crore, according to decisions made on Saturday.
In a noteworthy move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also reclassified India players who have not represented the country in any international match for at least five calendar years as “uncapped players.” This change is perceived to facilitate Chennai Super Kings’ retention of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who last played for India in the 2019 World Cup semifinal. As an uncapped player, Dhoni’s retention cost will only be ₹4 crore, enabling CSK to save significant funds for the auction.
Key Details of the New IPL Guidelines:
Retention & RTM Options: Teams can retain up to six players, with a maximum of five capped players (Indian and overseas) and two uncapped players.
Cost Structure:
First retention: ₹18 crore.
Second retention: ₹14 crore.
Third retention: ₹11 crore.
Fourth and fifth retentions: ₹18 crore and ₹14 crore, respectively.
If a team retains all five capped players, they will have only ₹45 crore left for the auction.
Total Salary Cap: The team salary cap will rise to ₹146 crore in 2025 and will increase to ₹157 crore by 2027.
Changes for Uncapped Players
Players who have not played international cricket in the last five years will now be considered uncapped, and their retention cost will be ₹4 crore. This allows teams like CSK to retain former stars like Dhoni without impacting their budget significantly.
Performance-Based Pay and Player Earnings
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah also announced a match fee of ₹7.5 lakh per game for all players. An uncapped player who plays three matches could earn ₹42.5 lakh in a season, a stark contrast to the earnings from playing domestic competitions like the Ranji Trophy. Players who participate in all league games stand to earn ₹1.05 crore on top of their contracted salaries.
Overseas Player Regulations
In a move aimed at addressing concerns with overseas players withdrawing after being picked at the auction, the BCCI plans to introduce a two-year ban for any player who withdraws post-auction. Additionally, foreign players who choose not to register for a year will also be barred from participating for the next two seasons.
Concerns Over Salary Deductions for Retentions
Some franchises, such as Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, supported the six-to-eight retention rule to secure their star players. However, this could create a financial strain during auctions. For example, if Mumbai Indians retain Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and others, ₹75 crore would be deducted from their purse, leaving just ₹45 crore for the remaining players. This could limit their flexibility in bidding for high-profile players during the auction.
The new rules are expected to intensify the strategy around team retention and auction planning as the IPL continues to grow in financial scale and player earnings.
