October 31 decided as deadline for IPL franchises to finalise retentions

October 31, 2024, has been decided as the deadline for the various IPL franchises to finalize their retentions ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. It is worth noting that the teams can retain up to six players and have the right-to-match (RTM) option.

As per rules announced by the BCCI, a maximum of five capped players and two uncapped (Indian) players can be retained ahead of the auction. Furthermore, a player who makes his international debut before October 31 will be considered capped. However, if he is retained as an uncapped player and then plays an international game before the day of the auction, he will be treated as uncapped. 

The purse for the mega auction has been increased by INR 20 crore, giving each franchise INR 120 crore to spend at the event. The IPL recently released a statement where they highlighted the directions for the auction. 

"It is at the discretion of the IPL franchise to choose their combination for retentions and RTMs. The six retentions/RTMs can have a maximum of five capped players and a maximum of two uncapped players,” the IPL release stated. 

Similar to the IPL 2022, the IPL has once again gone with INR 4 crore as the price for retained uncapped players. Furthermore, another rule has come back that states that the Indian players who have retired from international cricket at least five years before the relevant season should go into the auction as uncapped players.

The same rule will allow Chennai Super Kings’ MS Dhoni, who last played for India at the ODI World Cup 2019 to go into the auction as an uncapped player. The salaries of the capped players will be deducted from the actual purse of 120 crore, which means that if a franchise retains more capped players, its auction purse will be reduced accordingly. 

Also Read: Will IPL 2025 retention policy affect the upcoming auction?