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RTMs To Retention Slabs: All You Need To Know About IPL Retention Policies For IPL 2025 Mega Auction

IPL mega auction retention policy is finally out with several changes (@ESPNcricinfo/X.com)IPL mega auction retention policy is finally out with several changes (@ESPNcricinfo/X.com)

With the mega auction in sight, IPL released several retention rules and auction policies earlier this week that will guide the franchises to carefully evaluate their retention choices.

Ahead of the IPL 2025 season, a mega auction will take place before the end of the present year. Before that, IPL finalised the retention cap along with several other amendments, which are explained in full detail in this report.

Retention Cap & Salary Slabs

IPL franchises will be allowed to retain a maximum of 6 players, either through pre-auction retention of Right to Match (RTM) cards. A maximum of five capped and two uncapped players will be allowed to retain.

Uncapped players are valued at INR 4 Cr, which will be subtracted from the team's INR 120 Cr auction purse.

Retention Slabs:

No. of Retention
Player Value
Player 1
INR 18 crores
Player 2INR 14 crores
Player 3INR 11 crores
Player 4INR 18 crores
Player 5INR 14 crores

Use Of RTM Cards

RTM cards policies have been tweaked for the upcoming mega auction. The number of RTM cards available for a team will be 6 - the number of players retained before auction.

However, during the auction, once the highest bidder has placed his bid on a player, his previous franchise will be given the option to exercise the RTM card and reclaim the player.

But, the new twist allows the highest bidder an opportunity to increase the bid after the RTM card has been used and the RTM team will have to re-sign the player for the increased bid amount.

For example, RCB's highest bid for Ishan Kishan is INR 6 Cr. If his previous franchise, Mumbai Indians use the RTM card, then RCB can raise the bid to suppose INR 8 Cr. Now, Mumbai Indians will have to retain Ishan Kishan for the INR 8 Cr bid.

Restrictions On Foreign Players

In a monumental and necessary move, IPL has instructed all foreign players to register for the mega auction. Any overseas player missing from the mega auction won't be eligible to register for the following 2026 mini-auction, barring exceptions on medical or injury grounds.

Additionally, any overseas player, signed in the mega auction, decides to pull out of the tournament just before the season, will be banned for two IPL seasons.

Moreover, foreign players' maximum fee for the 2026 mini-auction will be determined by the highest bid or retention amount of the preceding mega auction, whichever is lower.

For example, if the highest retention bid in the mega auction is INR 18 Cr and auction bid is INR 16 Cr, a foreign player's fee in 2026 won't exceed INR 16 Cr.

Retired Players Back In Uncapped Category

In a relief for CSK, IPL has allowed any Indian player who hasn't played an international game in past 5 years to be retained in uncapped category.

All franchises are instructed to disclose their retention list by 5 PM IST on October 31.