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The IPL Governing Council (GC) on Saturday (September 28) allowed franchises to retain up to six players via retentions or RTM. Among the key decisions taken were ones pertaining to retentions and uncapped players. Retentions "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," stated the IPL in its release. "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 & Overseas) and a maximum of 2 uncapped players," it further added. With various combinations possible, the retentions could affect the auction purse varyingly for different teams based on the choices they make. For example, if a team were to retain five capped players and one uncapped player, they could lose a minimum of INR 79 Crore from their Auction purse. Retention deadline For the 2025 season, the franchises have until 5 PM IST on October 31, 2024 to finalise and submit the list of retained players ahead of the auction. Auction Purse There has been a 20% increase in the auction purse available for each franchise now, and is set to go up further. For the auction ahead of IPL 2025, it is set at INR 120 Crore. "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 Rs. 110 Crs which will now be Rs. 146 Crs (2025), Rs. 151 Crs (2026) and Rs. 157 Crs (2027)," stated the BCCI release. Uncapped player rule and MS Dhoni A significant rule update that has come is with regards to who can be considered an uncapped player now. "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, Twenty20 International) or does not have a Central Contract with BCCI. This will be applicable for Indian Players only," said IPL. This rule change now allows the likes of MS Dhoni, who last played for India in 2019, to be bracketed as an uncapped player when their franchise opts for retention or selection. Foreign players availability One of the big talking points and an issue raised by the team owners was of the overseas players gaming the auction system. Some players have been pulling out at the last minute or making themselves available only for the small auction, with a chance for a bigger pay packet. This has been addressed through two key decisions including a potential ban for two seasons. The decisions made states: "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." "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." This rule will exempt players with injuries/medical conditions that their respective home cricket boards have verified. Impact player rule The Impact player rule is set to stay until 2027. The rule came about much scrutiny from various quarters that it had to be taken up again in the IPL GC meeting. No reasons have been given for the decision taken. Player loan In communication shared with the franchises, the IPL has also stated that the Player Loan concept has been "reinstated" which could allow for franchises to exercise the option if they were willing to. When it existed previously, however, no franchise had shown an inclination to go down that route. Match fee for players As reported earlier, there is a match fee that has been introduced which could benefit players featuring in all the league games. They would get a match fee worth INR 7.5 Lakh in addition to the contracted amount. (Souces by Cricbuzz)

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