Cricket

IPL 2025 Auction: Teams Likely to Get Five Retentions and Right-to-Match CardThe Indian Premier League (IPL) is considering allowing its ten franchises to retain up to five players each ahead of the 2025 auction, according to ESPNcricinfo. Additionally, teams will have the option to use one right-to-match card during the auction.The IPL is expected to finalize the retention rules soon, ahead of the mega auction for the 2025 season. It is still unclear how many Indian players can be retained or if there will be a limit on overseas players. The retention slabs and overall purse have also not been confirmed, but it is believed to be around INR 115-120 crore.The five-retention rule would provide teams with greater flexibility in building their squads. It would allow them to retain their core players and target specific players in the auction. The right-to-match card would give teams the opportunity to match the highest bid for a player they have released.The IPL has been experimenting with different retention rules in recent years. In the 2022 auction, teams were allowed to retain four players. This was reduced to three in the 2023 auction. The five-retention rule would be the most generous retention policy in IPL history.The IPL is one of the most popular cricket leagues in the world. It attracts top players from around the globe and generates significant revenue. The 2025 auction is expected to be one of the most competitive in IPL history, with teams looking to build strong squads for the upcoming season.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to unveil its retention rules shortly, with the Governing Council (GC) convening in Bengaluru on Saturday. The official announcement is anticipated within the next few hours or by Sunday at the latest.Sources indicate that the decision to hold the GC meeting on Saturday was made at the last minute, with notices sent to members only on Friday evening. The retention rules may be presented at the general body meeting scheduled for Sunday before a formal announcement.The mega IPL auction is expected to take place in the Middle East in late November, and the GC meeting may also determine its date.Speculation has been rife regarding the retention rules, with estimates ranging from 2 to 8 players. The BCCI is likely to settle on a number between 5 and 6, including the Right to Match (RTM) option.The retention rules will have a significant impact on the upcoming auction, as teams will need to strategize their player acquisitions accordingly. The auction is expected to be highly competitive, with several high-profile players available.The IPL is one of the most popular cricket leagues in the world, attracting a massive fan base. The retention rules will play a crucial role in shaping the tournament's dynamics and ensuring a thrilling and unpredictable season.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the former Indian and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain, has returned to India after a vacation in the United States. His arrival at Ranchi airport has sparked speculation about his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL).The IPL retention rules for the upcoming season are yet to be announced, leaving uncertainty over Dhoni's status with CSK. The franchise has reportedly requested the BCCI to allow them to retain Dhoni as an uncapped player, but CEO Kasi Viswanathan has denied these claims.If the "uncapped player rule" is reinstated, CSK could retain Dhoni as an uncapped player, allowing him to continue playing for the franchise. However, the rule was scrapped in 2021, and its reinstatement is not guaranteed.Dhoni's future in the IPL has been a topic of discussion for several months. The 40-year-old has not played international cricket since 2019 and has not captained CSK since 2022. However, he remains a popular figure in the IPL and is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.The IPL auction is expected to be held outside India in November. If Dhoni is not retained by CSK, he could enter the auction pool and be available for other franchises to bid on.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering postponing the announcement of its Indian Premier League (IPL) retention rules until September, according to sources within the league. The delay could extend until the conclusion of the BCCI's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 29 in Bengaluru.The BCCI has not officially linked the AGM to the release of the retention policy, but there is speculation that the board may surprise everyone by unveiling the policy in the coming days. However, the prevailing sentiment among IPL officials suggests that the announcement is likely to be postponed by 10 days to a fortnight.While no official statement has been made regarding the delay, BCCI representatives have reportedly hinted to franchises that there may be a postponement in the announcement. The franchises have been seeking clarity on the matter, but the board has not provided a definitive timeline for the release of the policy.The BCCI had originally planned to reveal the policy by late August, as explicitly mentioned by Board officials after the owners' meeting in Mumbai last month. However, as the end of August drew near, franchise officials contacted the BCCI and were apparently notified of an additional postponement.The officials were given the impression that the policy would be announced towards the end of September instead.The BCCI's retention policy announcement date remains uncertain, but it has been revealed that franchises will have the deadline of November 15 to make their final decisions regarding player retention. It is expected that the auction, which is tentatively planned for December, will also include the Right to Match (RTM) options for the teams.The BCCI is reportedly considering a controversial decision to categorize retired international cricketers as uncapped players. However, it remains uncertain whether this move will have a significant impact on the auction purse.While some speculate that this policy might be designed to benefit Chennai Super Kings by allowing MS Dhoni to be placed in the 'uncapped' category, it is more likely that the league itself has a vested interest in ensuring Dhoni's participation for another season.Chennai Super Kings management has stated that if MS Dhoni chooses to continue playing in the next season, he will be one of their retained players, regardless of whether the BCCI allows only two retentions. This stance by the CSK officials highlights Dhoni's importance to the franchise and their desire to keep him on the team.The decision to retain players who have retired from international cricket could also impact other cricketers, such as Sunil Narine. Narine, who last played a T20I in 2019, announced his retirement from international cricket some time ago.The retention policies set by the BCCI and the stance taken by teams like CSK may influence the future of players who have stepped away from representing their countries but continue to participate in franchise-based leagues.

IPL Reforms: Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO Proposes Overhaul of Retention and Auction ProcessesIn a bid to enhance strategic flexibility, ensure fair market pricing, and maintain the integrity of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kavya Kalanithi Maran, CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad, has presented a comprehensive set of proposals to reform the retention and auction processes.Maran's primary suggestion is to allow franchises a minimum of six retentions or Right to Match (RTM) options ahead of the mega auction. This flexibility would enable teams to retain a core group of players while also allowing them to acquire new talent through the auction.To address concerns about player satisfaction with retention amounts, Maran proposes that players be given the option to either be retained or go to auction at a market-discovered price. This would prevent disputes over retention amounts and ensure that players are fairly compensated.Maran also advocates for removing the cap on retaining foreign players. She argues that each team has unique strengths and weaknesses, and the number of foreign players retained should be at the discretion of the franchise.To prevent players from reneging on their commitments, Maran proposes banning players who do not show up after being purchased at the auction, unless due to injury. This would ensure that teams can rely on the players they acquire.Regarding retired players, Maran believes they should be treated fairly in the auction. She suggests that their experience and brand value should be reflected in their auction price, rather than being classified as uncapped.Finally, Maran proposes changes to how money is deducted from the overall salary cap for retained players. She suggests that the money deducted should be an overall pot based on the number of players retained, with franchises having the discretion to decide how to split the amount among retained players.Maran's proposals aim to create a more balanced and competitive IPL, where franchises have greater flexibility in building their squads and players are fairly compensated.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to undergo significant changes in its retention and auction rules for the 2025 season. During a meeting between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the owners of the ten IPL teams, several proposals were discussed and debated.One of the key topics was the Impact Player rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during the match. Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal expressed his opposition to the rule, arguing that it hinders the development of all-rounders and creates an uneven playing field."Some people want it because it gives a chance to young players to play in the IPL," Jindal said. "Some people don't want it because it is detrimental to Indian cricket in terms of the development of all-rounders. So it's a mixed bag. I'm on the second camp. I don't want it. I prefer the game as it is 11 versus 11, and I think all-rounders are very important."Sunrisers Hyderabad owner Kavya Maran proposed a minimum of seven players to be retained without any restrictions on the number of overseas players bought back. This suggestion aims to provide teams with more flexibility in building their squads.There was a split vote on the frequency of mega auctions, with some owners advocating for a mega auction every five years. The current format involves a mega auction every three years.Other points discussed included the potential reintroduction of the right-to-match card option at the auction and the creation of a special category for uncapped players to incentivize teams to invest in young talent.The BCCI stated that these recommendations will be presented to the IPL governing council for further evaluation before finalizing the player regulations. The rules for both retention and auction for the 2025 season are expected to be finalized by the end of August.