Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has unveiled significant changes to its Player Regulations for the 2025-27 seasons, particularly regarding the purse and salary cap for franchises.Purse and Salary Cap:Each of the 10 IPL franchises will have an auction purse of INR 120 crore. However, the total salary cap has undergone a major revision. Previously, the salary cap was the sum of the auction purse and incremental performance pay. For 2024, it stood at INR 110 crore. For the 2025 season, it has been increased to INR 146 crore, primarily due to the introduction of a new component: match fees.Match Fees:For the first time in IPL history, match fees have been introduced. Each playing member, including the Impact Player, will receive INR 7.5 lakhs per match. This amount will be in addition to their contracted salary. The inclusion of match fees effectively redefines the salary cap as auction purse + incremental performance pay + match fees.Salary Cap Projections:The salary cap for IPL 2026 is projected to increase to INR 151 crore, while for 2027, it is expected to reach INR 157 crore.Impact on Players:The introduction of match fees is a significant financial boost for players. A cricketer who plays all league matches in a season will receive an additional INR 1.05 crores on top of their contracted amount.Big Auction:The 'Big Auction' for the 2025-27 seasons is expected to take place in the second half of November this year. The location is yet to be finalized, but it is likely to be held overseas, possibly in the Gulf region.

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 Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is actively engaged in discussions with Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises to finalize the retention policy for the upcoming mega auction. The board aims to conclude the process by the end of July.The retention policy is a crucial aspect of the IPL, as it determines the number of players that franchises can retain from their existing squads. In the 2021 IPL auction, franchises were allowed to retain a maximum of four players. However, there are varying opinions among franchises regarding the ideal number of retentions.Some franchises have expressed a preference for retaining 5-7 players, while others have suggested allowing up to 8 retentions. Conversely, a few franchises have proposed eliminating the retention system altogether.The BCCI has also sought feedback from franchises on the salary cap for the next three years. The current salary cap is set at Rs 100 crore, but there is a possibility of increasing it by Rs 20 crore for the upcoming auction.Another topic on the agenda is the use of Right To Match (RTM) cards. In the 2021 auction, RTM cards were not utilized. The BCCI has asked franchises for their views on whether to reinstate the RTM system.The meeting between the BCCI and franchise CEOs is expected to take place by the end of July, as some CEOs are currently unavailable. The board is keen on finalizing the retention policy and other key aspects of the IPL auction in a timely manner.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is poised to be an exciting spectacle, with teams bolstering their squads through the recent auction. While some teams have maintained their core, others have made significant acquisitions.Australian pace duo Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc commanded record-breaking bids, fetching over Rs 20 crore each for SunRisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, respectively. This marked the first time the Rs 20 crore threshold was surpassed in IPL history.Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa believes that the absence of a salary cap would result in astronomical salaries for Indian players. He estimates that as many as 10 Indian players could command over Rs 100 crore if the purse limit were removed."With an open auction and no purse limit, we have 10 players who can get over 100 crore," Uthappa said on News24 Sports. "Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal would all be in that bracket."Uthappa, who has played for several IPL franchises, including Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, and Royal Challengers Bangalore, emphasized the exceptional talent of these players. He highlighted their consistent performances, match-winning abilities, and fan following as factors that would drive their market value.The IPL's salary cap of Rs 100 crore per franchise ensures a level playing field and prevents teams from hoarding star players. However, Uthappa's comments raise questions about the potential financial implications if the cap were lifted.With the IPL 2024 season approaching, fans can expect intense competition and thrilling matches as teams vie for the coveted trophy. The presence of world-class players and the possibility of record-breaking salaries add to the anticipation surrounding the tournament.