The diverse rules for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction have reportedly sparked significant movement ahead of the retentions announcement on October 31.
According to a report, the Right to Match (RTM) option is motivating some players to test their market value and opt out of being retained. The report mentions that agents of several star players, particularly overseas, are in discussions with other franchises to secure the highest possible market value for their clients.
In some cases, players may choose not to be retained, even if their original franchise wishes to keep them.
The IPL 2025 retention rules allow franchises to use multiple RTM cards, enabling players to return to the auction pool and potentially be repurchased at a new price, rather than being retained at a set fee.
The new RTM rule also permits the final bid-winner to make an extended bid, driving up the player’s price.
Report says that this rule has allowed player agents to negotiate with both original and other franchises for better deals. One example is IPL 2024 runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who may reportedly spend Rs 23 crore to retain star wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen, which is Rs 5 crore above the highest retention slab of Rs 18 crore.
Additionally, the report suggests that the IPL auction could be held outside India, with Saudi Arabia and Singapore emerging as frontrunners, while Vienna, Austria, is also a contender.
A franchise can retain up to six players through either direct retention or the RTM rule.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
