No retentions but 8 RTM options, mega auction after 5 years: IPL franchises' suggestions ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction

The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises have reportedly asked for a bigger gap in the mega auctions and more Right-to-Match (RTM) options during the auction.

The ten IPL franchises are gearing up for a mega auction ahead of next year's season. As of now, there is little clarity over player retention. Things will become more clear once the franchise officials meet with the IPL officials. According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, the meeting is likely to take place as early as next week although a date has not been finalised yet.

Before the meeting, the IPL franchises shared some suggestions regarding the auction and the players' retentions during a feedback session. The first suggestion is to have a bigger gap than 3 years between the mega auctions. The franchisees want the mega auctions to take place after a gap of 5 years, according to the news outlet.

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The franchises believe that such a step would help the teams build continuity by developing young players, especially uncapped Indians. Several franchises especially those that have been playing since the inaugural season in 2008 have built academies to unearth talented players at grassroots level and develop them.

The franchises believe that a mega auction every five years would motivate the teams to continue their effort. There is also a view that having a longer gap in the mega auction will also help the teams create a loyal fan base.

While the mega auction is usually held after three years, it was held after four years on two occasions. The first time was in 2018 when Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals returned after a two-year suspension. Later in 2021, the pandemic forced the IPL to postpone the mega auction by a year.

More RTM options during the IPL auction:

Another demand of the IPL franchises is to have more RTM options during the auction that will help give them an advantage in re-signing any of their former players. RTM options allow the players to participate in the auction and the franchises get the chance to buy them back by matching the highest bid.

The report stated that one of the IPL franchises' CEO said teams could be allowed to retain one big player, and the rest could be through RTMs. Another franchise official believes that such a step could also cause disgruntlement among the retained players.

One franchise has also proposed no retention and as many as eight RTM options. As per the report, the proposal has received mixed responses from other franchises. While some franchises agree that it would create a level playing field, others do not want to put some of the best players in the auction pool.

There are also concerns that the franchises might drive up the prices of the big players in order to disrupt the strategy of the other teams during the auction. Things will become more clear once the meeting between the IPL officials and franchises takes place in the coming days.