Not 4!! BCCI likely to allow these many retentions per team for IPL 2025 mega auction

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly expected to announce retention rules for the mega auction by the end of the month. Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises are likely to be allowed around six retentions, including the Right to Match (RTM) option, according to a report by Cricbuzz.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India and IPL franchise owners met at BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Wednesday, July 31. They discussed the number of player retentions for the upcoming mega auction, set to take place later this year. The BCCI officials took feedback from IPL franchise owners.

Several IPL team owners, including Kiran Kumar Grandhi (Delhi Capitals), Sanjiv Goenka (Lucknow Super Giants), Rupa Gurunath (Chennai Super Kings), Kavya Maran (Sunrisers Hyderabad), and Manoj Badale (Rajasthan Royals), attended the meeting. Mumbai Indians owners joined via video conference.

The BCCI Yet To Finalize Retention Policy For IPL 2025 Mega Auction

The exact number of player retentions per team is still unclear. Indian Premier League team owners have suggested a range from one to eight retentions. However, the BCCI is expected to finalize an average number. Cricbuzz reported that the BCCI will finalize six retentions per team for the mega auction.

The BCCI wants to limit player retention to keep the auction exciting by ensuring top players remain available. Allowing up to eight retentions per team could remove many star players from the auction. However, some franchises argue for more retentions to maintain team continuity with key players.

BCCI Is Not Planning To Eliminate Mega Auction - Report

As per Cricbuzz, teams are likely to be allowed around six retentions, including the Right to Match (RTM) option. Some franchises have called for the end of the Big Auction, but the BCCI wants to keep it. The Right to Match option is still under discussion. The last mega auction did not include the RTM option.

"Teams are expected to be allowed around six retentions, including the RTM option. Although some franchises had called for the discontinuation of the Big Auction, the BCCI is not planning to eliminate it, for the time being at least," a report by Cricbuzz said.

The BCCI allowed teams to retain just four players ahead of the 2022 mega auction. This rule might change after recent discussions with franchise owners. The last mega auction received a mixed reception, as successful teams like Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians struggled to retain core players.

The BCCI is reportedly considering reintroducing a rule that would list retired cricketers as uncapped players if they have been retired for over five years. This rule could allow the Chennai Super Kings team to retain legendary cricketer MS Dhoni, who retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020.

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