 "IPL 2025 retention rules explained ahead of 31 October deadline. Image: BCCI")
The Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction comes once in a while but it’s always equally enticing, thrilling, and complex. The last time IPL hosted a mega auction was in 2022 when the league only had eight teams. Back then all eight IPL franchises were allowed to retain up to four players with a maximum of three Indians, two overseas players, and two uncapped Indians.
The scenario has changed drastically this time with 10 franchises. All 10 teams individually can retain up to six players through retentions or RTMs (Right to Match). The combination will have a maximum of five capped players (Indian and overseas) and a maximum of two uncapped (Indian) players.
IPL Mega Auction 2022 History: Which players were retained? Will they be retained again?
This has generated extra interest this time as IPL teams have the option to protect their core. As a result, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are expected to retain MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli respectively, but it will be interesting to see who the remaining players they cling to and what the other franchises do with their current squad.
IPL Retention Announcement 2025: Date, Time, Streaming, Deadline and Updates - All You Need To Know
With a mega auction being an opportunity to rest your squad, there can be a few shocks as well. Before the IPL 2025 retention lists are out, we take a look at the retention rules.
IPL retention deadline and where to watch
The deadline for submission of the retention list for all IPL teams is 5 PM IST on 31 October which is also the Diwali evening in India. The BCCI and IPL teams are expected to share the retention list with fans around the same time. Also, JioCinema and Star Sports will be hosting IPL retention list shows from 4.30 PM IST on 31 October to discuss the retentions.
How many players can an IPL team retain?
An IPL team can retain a maximum of six players either in the retention phase or through a Right-To-Match (RTM) card which they can use during the IPL 2025 mega auction. The combination of six players retained has to be a maximum of five capped players (Indian and overseas) and a maximum of two uncapped (Indian) players.
What is the total auction purse for IPL teams?
All 10 IPL teams will have a total auction purse of Rs 120 crore each to select their complete squad. Last year the auction purse was Rs 110 crore.
Has BCCI set any costs for retained players?
The retention costs for capped players and uncapped players would be:
| Player | Purse deduction (in INR) |
|---|---|
| Capped player 1 | 18 cr |
| Capped player 2 | 14 cr |
| Capped player 3 | 11 cr |
| Capped player 4 | 18 cr |
| Capped player 5 | 14 cr |
| Each uncapped player | 4 cr |
A team will lose Rs 75 crore from the total purse if they retain five capped players.
What happens if a player is paid over or under their value by a franchise?
Consider a scenario where a team retains capped player 2 for Rs 17 crore instead of Rs 14 crore. This would result in a deduction of Rs 17 crore from the franchise’s purse, which is 3 crore above his designated bracket value. Conversely, if the team opts to pay him Rs 12 crore — below his actual value — their auction purse would be reduced by Rs 14 crore.
IPL Retention Rumours | Dhoni’s uncertain future at CSK, Rahul set to part ways with LSG and more
How much purse will be left for the 10 IPL teams after they retain players?
Let’s take a look at a scenario where an IPL team retains six players in different combinations of 5 capped players and 1 uncapped player and 4 capped players and 2 uncapped players.
| Capped players | Uncapped players | Price breakdown
| (In Rs) | Purse remaining (In Rs) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1 | 18 + 14 + 11 + 18 + 14 + 4 = 79 crore | 41 crore |
| 4 | 2 | 18 + 14 + 11 + 18 + 4 + 4 = 69 crore | 51 crore |
Now, let’s take a look at a scenario where an IPL team retains less than six players in different combinations and decides to use an RTM card (s) during the auction.
| Capped players | Uncapped players | RTMs | Price breakdown (In Rs) | Purse remaining (In Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0 | 1 | 18 + 14 + 11 + 18 + 14 = 75 crore | 45 crore |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 18 + 14 + 11 + 18 + 4 = 65 crore | 55 crore |
| 4 | 0 | 2 | 18 + 14 + 11 + 18 = 61 crore | 59 crore |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 18 + 14 + 11 + 4 + 4 = 51 crore | 69 crore |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 18 + 14 + 11 + 4 = 47 crore | 73 crore |
| 3 | 0 | 3 | 18 + 14 + 11 = 43 crore | 77 crore |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 18 + 14 + 4 + 4 = 40 crore | 80 crore |
| 2 | 1 | 3 | 18 + 14 + 4 = 36 cr | 84 crore |
| 2 | 0 | 4 | 18 + 14 = 32 crore | 88 crore |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 18 + 4 + 4 = 26 crore | 94 crore |
| 1 | 1 | 4 | 18 + 4 = 22 crore | 98 crore |
| 1 | 0 | 5 | 18 cr | 102 crore |
| 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 + 4 = 8 crore | 112 crore |
| 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 crore | 116 crore |
| 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 crore | 120 crore |
Is there any cap on the number of overseas players an IPL team can retain?
No. A franchise can retain five foreign players if it wishes and the purse deduction will same as discussed above.
Read | Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and other top players who are likely to be released into auction pool
Which players can be considered as uncapped players?
Any Indian player who is still to make his international debut will be considered an uncapped player. Also, a capped player will be deemed uncapped if he hasn’t played an international match in the last five years or does not have a central contract with BCCI. The rule only applies to Indian players.
This rule will help players like MS Dhoni, Sandeep Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Amit Mishra, and Vijay Shankar to be retained as uncapped players.
What if a player doesn’t want to be retained?
No problem. If a player doesn’t want to be retained he can refuse the offer and enter the IPL 2024 mega auction. The IPL teams will also not be able to do player trades after the end of the retention deadline and the start of the 2025 season.
How RTM cards can be used during IPL auction?
A franchise can get a player from their 2024 team by using the RTM card in case that player is bought by a different franchise in the mega auction.
However, a new twist has been introduced since the RTM rule was last used at a mega auction in 2018. In the 2025 mega auction, if a team wants to buy back a player using the RTM option, the franchise that placed the winning bid will have another chance to increase their offer to any amount. In that case, the player’s former team must match this new bid if they wish to buy him back.