IPL 2025 Mega-Auction: KKR Owner Proposes Elimination of Retentions

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season concluded with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerging victorious, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in a lopsided final. As the three-year cycle of the tournament comes to an end, a mega-auction looms ahead of IPL 2025, bringing significant changes to the tournament's landscape.

Teams will be permitted to retain only a limited number of players, with the majority of the squad going under the hammer. However, reports indicate that IPL owners are considering minor adjustments to the retention rules. KKR owner Venky Mysore has proposed an intriguing suggestion: eliminating retentions altogether and providing teams with eight Right To Match (RTM) cards. This would allow teams to retain players at market price.

The last mega-auction, held before IPL 2022, saw teams allotted a purse of Rs 90 crore and allowed to retain a maximum of four players, with a maximum of three Indian players and two overseas players. Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu had previously suggested that IPL winners should receive additional retention spots, but his proposal did not gain widespread support.

The upcoming mega-auction will present a unique opportunity for teams to reshape their rosters and acquire top talent. With the introduction of RTM cards, teams will have greater flexibility in retaining key players while also exploring new options in the auction. The changes to the retention rules are expected to add an element of excitement and unpredictability to the IPL 2025 season.

Tags: #IPL2025, #MegaAuction, #KKR, #VenkyMysore, #RTMCards