The mega auction of the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) is likely to take place in late November. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet given information about its date. However, the franchises have to submit the list of retained players on Thursday (31 October). This time the franchises have a purse of Rs 120 crore. The amount with which she will enter the mega auction depends on the retention.

A franchise is allowed to retain a maximum of six players using Right-to-Match (RTM) cards during the retention phase or in the mega auction. The franchise has the flexibility to retain six players from the 2024 squad.

Retention slab of players as per new IPL rules

Capped Player 1: Rs 18 crore

Caped Player 2: Rs 14 crore

Caped Player 3: Rs 11 crore

Caped Player 4: Rs 18 crore

Caped Player 5: Rs 14 crore

Uncapped player: Rs 4 crore

Can a franchise retain a player for more or less money than the slab?

If a team decides to pay Rs 18 crore to retain another capped player, an amount of Rs 18 crore will be deducted from its auction purse. Even if the team decides to pay Rs 10 crore to another capped player, which is less than his retention value, the amount deducted from his purse will still be Rs 14 crore as per his assigned bracket.

How many foreign players can be retained?

There has been another rule change before the IPL 2025 mega auction. If any franchise wants, it can retain 6 out of 6 foreign players. Earlier, fewer foreign players were allowed to be retained than Indian players.

Can the amount of Rs 75 crore be divided among the five retained players as per the wishes of the franchise?

Yes, franchise can do this. If they are retaining five capped players then they can distribute Rs 75 crore as per their wish. If the franchise spends more than Rs 75 crore to retain five capped players, the excess amount will be deducted from the purse.

If a team retains just one capped player, it will suffer a loss of at least Rs 18 crore from its purse. For the two capped players they will lose at least Rs 32 crore (18+14) or the higher amount actually paid; For three capped players it is at least Rs 43 crore (18+14+11) and for four capped players it is at least Rs 61 crore (18+14+11+18).

However, if a team retains five capped players, the Rs 75 crore (18+14+11+18+14) deducted from their purse can be divided among the players in any ratio. In such a situation, a player can be bought for Rs 23 crore, they can retain their fifth player for less than Rs 14 crore, so that there is a reduction of Rs 75 crore.

Can players refuse to be retained?

Yes, if a player does not want to stay with a franchise, he can come to the mega auction if he does not accept the retention offer. Additionally, no player trades are allowed between the October 31 retention deadline and the start of the 2025 season.

How will RTM card be used?

If a player is bought by another franchise in the mega auction, the franchise to which he was a part in IPL 2024 can buy the player back using the Right Match Card. But compared to the RTM rule being used in the mega auction in 2018, there is a twist this time. In the 2025 mega auction, if a team wants to buy back a player by exercising the RTM option, the highest bidding franchise will be given another chance to increase its bid as desired. In this situation, the previous team will have to pay an increased amount to join the player.

When is IPL 2025 retention?

IPL 2025 retention will start on October 31 at 4.30 pm IST.

Where will you be able to watch live streaming of IPL 2025 retention?

You can watch live streaming of IPL 2025 retention on Jio Cinema.

Where will you be able to watch the live telecast of IPL 2025 retention?

You can watch the live telecast of IPL 2025 retention on Star Sports Network.