Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council is set to meet with franchise owners in Mumbai on Wednesday to discuss potential changes to the team purse and retention policies. The meeting will focus on five key points:1. Team Purse:The current team purse of Rs 100 crore is expected to be increased by 20-25%, bringing it to a maximum of Rs 120-125 crore. This increase is seen as necessary to accommodate the rising player salaries and the expansion of the league to 10 teams.2. Player Retention:The number of player retentions is likely to be increased from four to five or six, including the use of 'Right To Match' (RTM) options. This will allow teams to retain their core players and maintain continuity. However, there is some disagreement among teams on the ideal number of retentions, with some advocating for as many as eight.3. Impact Player Rule:The 'Impact Player' rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during a match, has drawn mixed reactions. While some teams support the concept, others, including India captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli, have expressed concerns about its impact on the development of all-round cricketers.4. IPL Gaming Rights:The meeting will also discuss the issue of IPL gaming rights. The BCCI is considering selling the rights to a single operator, which could generate significant revenue for the league.5. Revenue Sharing:The distribution of revenue from the IPL's Central Merchandising pool will be another topic of discussion. Teams are seeking a more equitable share of the revenue, which is currently dominated by the larger franchises.The outcome of the meeting will have a significant impact on the upcoming IPL auction, which is scheduled for the end of the year. The decisions made will shape the composition of teams and the overall dynamics of the league.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is considering significant changes to its player retention and auction policies ahead of the 2025 season. Franchises have proposed several suggestions to the IPL officials, including:* Mega Auction Frequency: Conduct mega auctions only once every five years instead of the current three-year cycle. This would allow teams to build continuity and develop young players.* Player Retention: Allow teams to retain between four and six players. This would provide stability and reward teams for investing in player development.* Right-to-Match (RTM) Options: Grant each franchise eight RTM options. This would give teams the flexibility to retain key players while allowing the market to determine their value.The proposed changes aim to address several concerns raised by franchises. A longer gap between mega auctions would incentivize teams to invest in youth development, as they would have more time to reap the benefits of their investments. It would also reduce the risk of losing players to rival franchises.The RTM option would allow teams to retain players without having to pay a premium. This would remove any monetary disappointment for players who are not retained before the auction. However, some franchises have expressed concerns that the RTM option could lead to disgruntlement among players if those bought back via RTM secure higher bids.Another suggestion is to have eight RTM options and no retentions. This would create a level playing field for all teams, but it could also put the biggest players in the auction. There is also the concern that rival teams could drive up prices to disrupt auction strategy.The IPL officials will meet with the franchises to discuss these proposals further. They will also discuss the Impact Player rule, the purse for the 2025 auction, and the salary cap deduction for retained players.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to convene a crucial meeting with Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners on July 30 or 31 to address several pressing issues, including player retention policies, the Right to Match (RTM) option, and the salary cap for players.The meeting, to be held at the BCCI's newly renovated office within the Wankhede Stadium premises in Mumbai, will delve into the contentious topic of player retention. Proponents of higher retention limits argue that it fosters team continuity and strengthens franchise identity, while others advocate for minimal retention to promote player movement and competition.The BCCI has been actively engaging with IPL franchises to gather feedback on these matters. IPL CEO Hemang Amin has met with franchise representatives to discuss their perspectives. The upcoming meeting will provide a platform for further deliberations and consensus-building.Another key agenda item is the RTM option, which allows franchises to retain a player who has been released by another team. The inclusion of RTM in the mega-auction has been a subject of debate, with some franchises expressing concerns about its potential impact on player acquisition strategies.The salary cap, anticipated to be around Rs 120 crore for the initial year of the forthcoming three-year cycle, will also be discussed. The retention value assigned to each player, which in the past has been approximately 16-17 percent of the salary cap, is another point of consideration.The BCCI is expected to present the formula for determining the salary of retained players and address any concerns raised by the franchises. The meeting will serve as a crucial step in shaping the future of the IPL and ensuring its continued success as one of the most popular cricket leagues in the world.

The International League T20 (ILT20) has announced the retention list for its third season, with 69 players being retained by their respective franchises. Defending champions MI Emirates have retained a strong core, including captain Nicholas Pooran, Dwayne Bravo, Akeal Hosein, Kieron Pollard, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have retained 11 players, including captain Sunil Narine and Andre Russell. David Willey, Charith Asalanka, Ali Khan, and Andries Gous are among the other notable retentions.Desert Vipers have retained a formidable squad, with Wanindu Hasaranga, Alex Hales, Azam Khan, and Mohammad Amir all being retained. However, fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Matheesha Pathirana are notable absentees.Dubai Capitals have retained captain David Warner, along with Rovman Powell, Sam Billings, and Jake Fraser-McGurk. England's Joe Root and Mark Wood have been left out.Gulf Giants have retained Shimron Hetmyer, captain James Vince, and USA's Saurabh Netravalkar. Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rehman has not been retained.Sharjah Warriors have retained eight players, including captain Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Kusal Mendis, and Johnson Charles.Each franchise has also retained two UAE players each, with no limit on international player retention. Teams can now sign new players in the ongoing player acquisition window, which will remain open until September 15.The third season of the ILT20 is scheduled to be played from January 11 to February 9, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah.

England wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings has become the first player to sign a multi-year contract in the Big Bash League (BBL), committing to the Sydney Thunder for the next three seasons. This move is a significant step for the BBL, as it aims to retain top players amidst competition from rival T20 leagues.Billings, who previously played for the Thunder in 2020-21 and 2021-22, has been a key player for England in recent years. He brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the Thunder, who are looking to rebuild after a disappointing season last year.Under the new multi-year contract option, players are required to commit to the entire BBL season, including the finals, from the 2025-26 season onwards. Billings has gone a step further and will be available throughout next season's edition as well."I love Sydney and in particular Western Sydney and the chance to come back to a family club that is so connected to their members and fans and the people from the area was too good an opportunity to ignore," Billings said.The BBL faces significant competition from the SA20 and ILT20 leagues, which overlap with its schedule. The new multi-year contract option is an attempt to secure players for the duration of the tournament by offering them security."The BBL is in such a great place these days, it's well run, well supported and definitely the best tournament in the world staged at that time of the year. That's why I have committed long term and to be here right until the end of the tournament each year," Billings added.The Thunder are excited to have Billings on board, as they look to improve on their performance last season."The beauty of bringing a player the calibre of Sam Billings to the club is not just the elite skillset he brings to every facet of the game but also his leadership on and off the field," said Thunder general manager Trent Copeland.Billings is the second Thunder signing confirmed in two days, following the acquisition of highly-rated young batter Sam Konstas. The Thunder are building a strong squad under new coach Trevor Bayliss, who recently signed a one-year extension.