The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Saturday that, starting from the 2025 season, Indian Premier League (IPL) teams will be allowed to retain up to six players from their current squad, including through the Right to Match (RTM) option.

The IPL 2025 retention rules were unveiled after discussions with the owners of the 10 franchises in July at the BCCI Headquarters. Finalised in Bengaluru on Saturday, these regulations will remain in effect until 2027.

As per the latest IPL retention rules, teams can retain a total of six players, which may include a maximum of five capped players (Indian or overseas) and up to two uncapped players. A maximum of six RTMs will be allowed for each team.

Retaining players will come with a significant financial impact. The first retained player will cost INR 18 crores, followed by INR 14 crores for the second, and INR 11 crores for the third. If teams retain a fourth and fifth player, they will be priced at INR 18 crores and INR 14 crores, respectively. These amounts will be deducted from the team's auction purse.

IPL retained player price

Retained Player Cost
Player 1 INR 18 crores
Player 2 INR 14 crores
Player 3 INR 11 crores
Player 4 INR 18 crores
Player 5 INR 14 crores

This means, the total cost of five retained players for IPL 2025 will be INR 75 crores.

The auction purse for each team has been set at INR 120 crores for IPL 2025. Should a team retain five capped players, they will only have INR 45 crores left for the IPL 2025 auction.

An uncapped player can be retained for INR 4 crores.

RTM rule in IPL

The RTM was last used during the 2017 mega auction. It was discontinued ahead of the mega auction in 2022. The RTM, however, returns with a tweak; the highest bidder now will have one last chance to increase their offer for a player before the team holding the RTM card can choose to match the bid and retain the player.

"The highest bidder will be given one final opportunity to raise their bid for a player before the team holding the RTM card can exercise their right. For example, if Team 1 holds the RTM for Player X and Team 2 has placed the highest bid of INR 6 crore, then Team 1 will be first asked if they will exercise RTM, if Team 1 agrees, then Team 2 will have the chance to increase their bid. If Team 2 raises their bid to INR 9 crore, then Team 1 can use the RTM and acquire Player X for INR 9 crore. If Team 2 chooses not to raise the bid and keeps it at INR 6 crore, Team 1 can use the RTM and get Player X for INR 6 crore."

Players who are unavailable after being picked in the auction will face a two-season ban from both the tournament and future auctions.

Changes were also announced to the IPL auction purse, along with the introduction of match fees for players.

The dates of the IPL 2025 auction are yet to be announced.

IPL 2025 retention rules

  • The IPL franchises can retain a total of 6 players from their existing squad. This can be either via retention or by using the Right to Match (RTM) option.
  • It is at the discretion of the IPL franchise to choose their combination for retentions and RTMs. The 6 retentions / RTM’s can have a maximum of 5 capped players (Indian and overseas) and a maximum of 2 uncapped players.
  • The highest bidder will be given one final opportunity to raise their bid for a player before the team holding the RTM card can exercise their right.
  • The auction purse for the franchises has been set at INR 120 crores for IPL 2025. 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 INR 110 crores which will now be INR 146 crores (2025), INR 151 crores (2026) and INR 157 crores (2027).
  • A match fee has been introduced for the first time in the history of IPL. Each playing member (Including the Impact Player) will get a match fee of INR 7.5 lakhs per match. This will be in addition to his contracted amount.
  • Any Overseas Player will have to register for the big auction. In case the overseas player doesn't register, then he will be ineligible to register in the following year’s player auction. Only exception will be in case of an injury / medical condition which will have to be confirmed by the home board before the big auction.
  • 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. Only exception will be in case of an injury / medical condition which will have to be confirmed by the home board before the big auction.
  • A capped Indian player will become uncapped, if the player has in the last five calendar years preceding the year in which the relevant season is held, not played in the starting XI in international cricket (Test match, ODI, T20 International) or does not have a Central Contract with BCCI. This will be applicable for Indian players only.
  • The Impact Player regulation will continue for the 2025 to 2027 cycle.
  • Replacement in case of a player injury / medical condition which till 2024 season was allowed up to the 7th league match of the respective franchise. From IPL 2025, the replacements will be allowed up to 12th league match.
  • The Player Loan concept during the season will be reinstated giving the franchises an option to exercise.