IPL Mulls Over Changes in Retention Rule for Uncapped Players Ahead of 2025 Auction
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently held a meeting with the owners of the ten Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises to discuss the upcoming 2025 season’s player retention policies. A significant topic was whether a retired cricketer who hasn’t played international cricket for five years should be treated as an uncapped player in the IPL auctions.
During the meeting, multiple franchise owners expressed differing opinions on this suggestion. According to ESPNcricinfo, Sunrisers Hyderabad owner Kavya Maran voiced her concerns, suggesting that such a move could set a negative precedent. Maran proposed that these players should be included in the auction to let the market determine their value rather than being retained as uncapped players.
Additionally, there was a proposal from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the winners of the IPL 2024, who suggested that eight players be brought back using the Right to Match (RTM) method. The co-owner of the Delhi Capitals also expressed surprise that some franchises opposed the idea of a mega auction.
Despite these differing views, there was a consensus among the franchises on allowing Indian players who haven’t played international cricket for five years to lower their base prices at the auction. Currently, the lowest base price for capped Indian players is set at ₹50 lakh, which many believe is too high and results in these players often going unsold despite multiple attempts at the auction.
The suggestion to lower base prices for such players came from IPL Chief Operating Officer Hemang Amin. He argued that a lower base price would increase the chances of these players being purchased at the auction. Franchise representatives noted that capped Indian players who haven’t played internationally for several years are forced to enter the auction at high base prices, leading to them often remaining unsold.
In terms of uncapped player retentions, the IPL franchises were previously allowed to retain a maximum of two uncapped Indian players ahead of the 2022 mega auction. The two new teams, Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, were permitted to retain one each. The discussion on these retention policies indicates the league’s efforts to refine and improve the system for the benefit of both players and franchises.
The BCCI’s meeting highlighted the complexities of managing player retentions in a league as competitive as the IPL. With franchises having varying opinions on the best way to handle retentions and the auction process, finding a middle ground that satisfies all parties is challenging. However, the unanimous agreement on allowing players who haven’t played international cricket for five years to lower their base prices is a step towards making the auction process fairer and more inclusive.
As the IPL continues to evolve, these discussions and subsequent decisions will play a crucial role in shaping the league’s future. The changes in retention rules and auction policies will impact team compositions, player careers, and the overall competitiveness of the league. The BCCI’s proactive approach in seeking franchise input and addressing their concerns demonstrates its commitment to maintaining the IPL’s status as one of the premier cricket leagues in the world.
With the 2025 season on the horizon, fans and stakeholders alike will be keenly watching how these discussions translate into concrete policies and how they affect the dynamics of the league. The IPL’s ability to adapt and innovate in response to changing circumstances has been one of its strengths, and the ongoing dialogue between the BCCI and franchise owners is essential in ensuring the league’s continued success and growth.