The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that IPL franchises can retain up to six players from their current squads, either through retention or by utilizing the Right to Match (RTM) options.
As the league prepares for another mega auction, the BCCI has clarified that players like MS Dhoni can compete as uncapped players. A capped Indian player will be considered uncapped if they haven’t played in the starting XI for any international format in the past five calendar years or if they lack a central contract with the BCCI. This change benefits players like Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020.
Franchises can retain up to 6 players
Additionally, the BCCI has decided to maintain the impact player rule for the IPL cycle from 2025 to 2027, responding to franchise requests for the ability to retain 5-6 players to foster brand building and continuity.
“It is at the discretion of the IPL franchise to choose their combination for Retentions and RTMs. The six retentions / RTM’s can have a maximum of 5 capped players (Indian & Overseas) and a maximum of 2 uncapped players,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah informed in a statement after IPL general council met in Bengaluru on Saturday.
IPL auction purse increased to Rs 120 crore
The Indian board has increased the auction purse for franchises to Rs 120 crore for IPL 2025, up by Rs 20 crore from the previous auction.
“The total salary cap will now consist of auction purse, incremental performance pay and match fees. Previously in 2024, the total salary cap (auction purse + incremental performance pay) was Rs. 110 Crs which will now be Rs. 146 Crs (2025), Rs. 151 Crs (2026) and Rs. 157 Crs (2027),” the statement added.
BCCI introduces Rs 7.5 lakh match fees for players
In a new move, the board has introduced match fees of Rs 7.5 lakh for the first time in IPL history, in addition to the auction money that franchises previously paid players. The board has also addressed complaints from franchises regarding foreign players choosing to opt out after the auction process.
“Any player who registers in the player auction and after getting picked at the auction, makes himself unavailable before the start of the season, will get banned from participating in the tournament and player auction for 2 Seasons,” the statement reads.