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IPL Retention Rules Through the Years: What to Expect from the IPL 2025 Mega Auction?

IPL's retention rules have undergone significant transformations over the years (IPL X)IPL's retention rules have undergone significant transformations over the years (IPL X)

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen remarkable growth over the years, with the retention policies evolving to keep pace with the league’s rising stature. Each retention rule change has come with its own set of tweaks aimed at giving franchisees the ability to keep their core intact while ensuring competitive balance.

As we gear up for the IPL 2025 mega auction, anticipation is through the roof with rumours and reports of significant updates. Let’s dive into the history of IPL retention and what we can expect from the 2025 auction.

IPL's Inaugral Edition (2008-2010): Starting with a Clean Slate

In the inaugural years of the Indian Premier League, the focus was squarely on creating new teams through player auctions, and there was no formal retention policy.

Franchises were built from scratch, and the only way to get your hands on the hottest talent was through the hammer. It was the calm before the storm, as teams began forming their identities.

IPL 2011 Retention Rules: Laying the Foundation

The winds of change arrived ahead of the 2011 IPL season. For the first time, the retention policy came into the picture, allowing franchises to hold onto their star players.

Each team could retain up to four players—no more than three Indian and one overseas. This rule offered franchises a chance to hedge their bets on key players while also maintaining financial balance with a strict salary cap deduction:

  • ₹9 crore for the first retained player
  • ₹8 crore for the second
  • ₹7 crore for the third
  • ₹6 crore for the fourth

The total salary cap for teams was set at ₹37.5 crore. This retention model provided franchises with a fine balance between risk and reward and allowed them to secure their core group but at a significant cost.

IPL 2014 Retention Rules: Enter the RTM Card

As the IPL grew, so did the complexities of the retention rules. For the 2014 season, teams were allowed to retain up to five players, with a cap of four Indian players.

The introduction of the Right to Match (RTM) card was a game-changer, giving franchises a chance to reclaim players they had to release by matching the highest bid for them during the auction. However, RTM cards were limited based on how many players a team had already retained.

The salary structure was modified again:

  • ₹12.5 crore for the first player
  • ₹9.5 crore for the second
  • ₹7.5 crore for the third
  • ₹5.5 crore each for the fourth and fifth

The total salary cap for teams increased to ₹60 crore. This era cemented the retention policy as a mainstay of IPL auctions, giving teams the ability to keep their best players without breaking the bank, but also challenging them to make tough calls on who to retain and who to release. 

IPL 2018 Retention Rules: Shuffling the Deck

Ahead of the 2018 season, with a mega auction looming, the BCCI adjusted the retention policies yet again. Teams were allowed to retain up to three players ahead of the auction. The RTM card returned, but teams were limited to two RTM cards. The salary cap deduction was restructured:

  • ₹15 crore for the first player
  • ₹11 crore for the second
  • ₹7 crore for the third

With a total salary cap increased to ₹80 crore, teams had more wiggle room to strategize and secure key players while also leaving space for new signings.

IPL 2022 Retention Rules: A New Era with Two New Teams

The introduction of Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans in 2022 brought another major shake-up in the retention rules. Teams could retain up to four players: either 3 Indian and 1 overseas, or 2 Indian and 2 overseas.

The RTM card was scrapped, forcing teams to choose their retained players wisely. The salary cap also saw a boost to ₹90 crore.

New franchises were allowed to pick three players from the player pool, making this auction particularly exciting and giving fans a lot to look forward to.

What to Expect in IPL 2025 Auction? A Potential Game Changer

As the cricketing world braces for the IPL 2025 mega auction, the rumour mill is buzzing with news of major shifts.

Reports suggest that teams will be allowed to retain up to five players (3 Indian and 2 overseas), to offer more flexibility to keep their core intact—a significant change from the previous cap of four players.

However, the RTM card is likely to be omitted. Without RTM cards, teams must be even more judicious in selecting whom to retain, knowing that once they release a player, they will have no second chance to get them back in the auction.

Adding to the buzz, the salary cap is expected to rise from ₹100 crore to ₹120 crore, allowing franchises to splash the cash on top-tier talent.

Additionally, teams might be allowed to retain 2-3 uncapped players outside their primary retention list. Finally, the much-debated Impact Player Rule, which was introduced to allow flexible substitutions, may be scrapped.