Synopsis

Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, set for November’s last week, franchises have declared their list of retained players. Each team holds a budget of Rs 120 crore for retentions and the auction, allowing them to retain a maximum of six players, including up to five capped and two uncapped players. As teams enter a new three-year cycle, their retention strategies will shape their competitive edge. Additionally, a fresh salary cap structure includes player match fees, reflecting the IPL's evolving approach to franchise management.

IPL Retention
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has provided franchises with a Rs 120 crore budget for player retentions and auction expenses combined. Each franchise can retain a maximum of six players, with the freedom to keep up to five capped players and two uncapped Indian players. Alternatively, teams may release players and use Right-to-Match (RTM) cards at the auction to re-sign preferred talents.

Retention Costs and Categories

Capped players fall into three pay categories, with purse deductions based on the player’s level within these brackets: Rs 18 crore for the first player, Rs 14 crore for the second, and Rs 11 crore for the third, followed by Rs 18 crore and Rs 14 crore for the fourth and fifth players, respectively. Each uncapped player incurs a Rs 4 crore deduction. This setup lets franchises strategize their spending on both retentions and auction selections.

For instance, teams can choose to retain five capped players and one uncapped, which would require Rs 79 crore, leaving Rs 41 crore for auction bidding. Alternatively, a team retaining four capped players and two uncapped players would reserve Rs 69 crore and retain Rs 51 crore for the auction.

Strategic Retention Lists by Franchise

Each team has made their retention list public, unveiling different strategies as they prepare for the 2025 season. Here's a summary of each franchise’s retentions and remaining budgets:

  • Chennai Super Kings: Key retentions include Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, and MS Dhoni, who is categorized as an uncapped player. CSK has used Rs 65 crore, leaving Rs 55 crore in its auction purse.
  • Delhi Capitals: With players like Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav retained, DC has secured a Rs 47 crore spend, with Rs 73 crore still available.
  • Mumbai Indians: Core players such as Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya remain, with a Rs 75 crore expenditure and Rs 59 crore remaining.
  • Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shimron Hetmyer headline RR’s list, totaling Rs 79 crore, with Rs 41 crore left.
  • Royal Challengers Bangalore: Led by Virat Kohli, RCB has committed Rs 22 crore and retains a potential Rs 98 crore.

TeamRetentionsMinimum Purse UsedRemaining Purse
Chennai Super Kings5 (inc. MS Dhoni as uncapped)65 crore55 crore
Delhi Capitals4 (all capped)47 crore73 crore
Gujarat Titans551 crore69 crore
Rajasthan Royals679 crore41 crore
Sunrisers Hyderabad575 crore45 crore
Kolkata Knight Riders669 crore51 crore
Mumbai Indians575 crore59 crore
Punjab Kings2 (both uncapped)8 crore112 crore
Royal Challengers Bengaluru322 crore98 crore
Lucknow Super Giants551 crore69 crore

Flexible Use of RTM Cards

Teams also have the option to release all players and enter the mega auction with six RTM cards, which would allow them to buy back players at unrestricted prices. The RTM system, paired with the retention options, offers flexibility to adapt to auction scenarios. If a team retains fewer players by the October 31 deadline, their remaining slots can be filled during the auction using RTM cards.

For example, a team choosing to retain four capped players and reserve two RTMs would spend Rs 61 crore and hold Rs 59 crore for auction bids. Alternatively, retaining three capped players with three RTMs would cost Rs 43 crore, leaving Rs 77 crore for auction selections.

Purse Deductions by Player Category

Each team’s retention purse deductions are based on player categories, with the first capped player costing Rs 18 crore, the second Rs 14 crore, the third Rs 11 crore, followed by another at Rs 18 crore and Rs 14 crore respectively. Uncapped players carry a retention cost of Rs 4 crore.

RetentionsCappedUncappedPurse Used (INR)Auction Budget (INR)
50175 crore45 crore
41165 crore55 crore
40261 crore59 crore
32151 crore69 crore

Who Qualifies as an Uncapped Player?

The IPL defines uncapped players as Indian players who have yet to play in international matches. This year, players who haven’t appeared in international games for over five years or lack a BCCI central contract during this time frame also qualify as uncapped. This provision has enabled teams like Chennai Super Kings to retain a player of MS Dhoni's stature under the Rs 4 crore uncapped bracket.

New Salary Cap with Match Fees Introduced

In addition to the Rs 120 crore auction purse, the IPL will implement a new salary structure over the coming seasons. This year, the cap rises to Rs 146 crore, and over the next three years, it will gradually increase to Rs 157 crore by 2027. For the first time, match fees have also been introduced, with each player, including those substituted under the Impact Player rule, receiving Rs 7.5 lakh per game on top of their retained or auction-based salary.

Preparing for the Auction

As the IPL's 10 franchises finalize their plans, the upcoming mega auction will see them compete with fresh budgets and strategies. Teams must finalize their retained players and prepare RTM strategies in anticipation of the event, ensuring a mix of core retention and auction flexibility.

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