IPL 2025: BCCI vs Franchises all set to heat up as this new rule results in protests

The changes in the Right to Match (RM) rule have been questioned by the IPL franchises as it gives extra advantages to the highest bidder in the whole process. Recently, the IPL governing council announced the new rules before the IPL 2025 mega auction.

According to the new rule, the highest bidder in the auction will be given an extra opportunity to raise their bid before the RTM is used by the team holding the right. It is believed that the increased bid amount can be of any amount.

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What does the new RTM rule in IPL say?

The new Right to Match rule states, "the highest bidder will be given one final opportunity to raise their bid for a player before the team holding the RTM card can exercise their right," says the new rule which has been circulated to the franchise by the BCCI. Each team can exercise the RTM option a maximum of six times (provided they don't retain any players), including one for an uncapped player, at the auction."

The rule was further explained through an example. "For example, if Team 1 holds the RTM for Player X and Team 2 has placed the highest bid of Rs. 6 Cr, then Team 1 will be first asked if they will exercise RTM if Team 1 agrees, then Team 2 will have the chance to increase their bid. If Team 2 raises their bid to Rs. 9 Cr, then Team 1 can use the RTM and acquire Player X for Rs. 9 Cr. If Team 2 chooses not to raise the bid and keeps it at Rs. 6 Cr, Team 1 can use the RTM and get Player X for Rs. 6 Cr," the IPL stated.

Franchises express displeasure over new RTM rule in IPL

The previous rule was criticized by the players who argued that it deprives them of a deserving price at the auction. Renowned international player Ravichandran Ashwin openly questioned the rule claiming that it is not fair for a player.

According to a report from Cricbuzz, the IPL franchises claim that the main focus of the RTM is to fix a player's market value and the new rule won't be able to achieve this target due to the raised bid. The BCCI has already made it clear that the increased amount can be anything, which reduces the value of the incremental bidding.

Things heating up between BCCI and IPL Teams

There have been reports stating that the new RTM rule can also prove to be ineffective as it can be against the BCCI's goal of attracting as many star players in the auction as possible. The franchises also claim that the additional opportunity to sign the player does not seem a logical choice.

However, the board is not encouraging the franchises from going for retention due to the rule of INR 18 crore for the No. 4th retention and INR 14 crore for the No. 5th retention. The franchises argue that the latest rule change is likely to force them to go for more and more retentions rather than going for the RTM rule.