IPL franchises unhappy with new RTM clause, write to BCCI

Seven out of the 10 IPL (Indian Premier League) franchises have come forward and questioned the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) over the new RTM (Right to Match) clause for the upcoming IPL 2025 auction. It is worth noting that the BCCI recently came forward and released the rules of the upcoming auction. 

The rules stated that during the auction, the highest bidding side for a player will be given an opportunity to raise their bid before the right to match is exercised by the team which held that player. It is also worth noting that the increased bid can be of any value and will have to be matched by the RTM holding team if they want the player.

Interestingly, every franchise will be able to exercise their RTM rights for a maximum of six players if they have not retained any. "The highest bidder will be given one final opportunity to raise their bid for a player before the team holding the RTM card can exercise their right," the rule stated. 

Also Read - IPL 2025: How RTM works and how many RTMs can be taken - Rules Explained

"For example, if Team 1 holds the RTM for Player X and Team 2 has placed the highest bid of Rs. 6 Cr, then Team 1 will be first asked if they will exercise RTM, if Team 1 agrees, then Team 2 will have the chance to increase their bid. If Team 2 raises their bid to Rs. 9 Cr, then Team 1 can use the RTM and acquire Player X for Rs. 9 Cr. If Team 2 chooses not to raise the bid and keeps it at Rs. 6 Cr, Team 1 can use the RTM and get Player X for Rs. 6 Cr,” the BCCI explained. 

It has been reported by Cricbuzz that the same rule is being seen as an issue by several of the IPL franchises, and they have even written to the BCCI about the same. The franchises argued that the purpose of the RTM cards is to determine a player’s value, and that diminishes when the exercising team has to match an arbitrarily increased amount rather than an incremental one.