IPL player retention rule may face delay by BCCI

The release of the retention regulations can be postponed further. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may postpone the announcement till the end of the month, according to rumours that are making the rounds among IPL franchise owners and officials. If the policy is announced around the time of the BCCI's Annual General Meeting (AGM), which is scheduled for September 29 in Bengaluru, it should not come as a surprise.

The AGM and IPL policies are unrelated, and the BCCI has the potential to shock everyone by announcing the policy in the coming days. IPL officials, however, generally believe that the announcement might take a minimum of 10 days to two weeks. Although there has not been an official statement to that effect, teams that have recently contacted BCCI officials on the retention rules are thought to have been informed that there may be a delay.

Following the owners' meeting in Mumbai last month, Board officials openly indicated that the BCCI was anticipated to unveil the policy before the end of August. However, franchise executives learnt of an additional delay when they contacted the BCCI as the deadline was near. 

Also Read: IPL franchises hope for leeway in player retention, purse amount and RTM rules ahead of Mega Auction

CSK looking to retain MS Dhoni

It is currently recognised that the franchises may have till November 15 to make their retention decisions, regardless of when the BCCI announces its retention policy. Most likely slated for December, the Right to Match (RTM) options will also be included in the auction.

It is unclear if the BCCI's much-discussed decision to declare retired international players uncapped will have a significant impact on the auction proceeds. Given that it is in the best interests of the league as a whole if MS Dhoni plays for one more season, it is possible that this policy is not explicitly intended to benefit Chennai Super Kings and put him in the "uncapped" group.

Also Read: IPL 2025: CSK, MS Dhoni to benefit as BCCI likely to reintroduce old retention rule

In addition, Dhoni would be one of CSK's retentions if he chooses to participate in the upcoming season, even if the BCCI only allows for two retentions. Surprisingly, players like Sunil Narine, who left international cricket a while back and last played in a Twenty20 match in 2019, may also be impacted by this choice. 

As the BCCI will deduct a portion of the purse based on the number of retentions, it is generally believed that uncapping retired players won't have a significant impact on the auction purse. This will allow franchises to set player prices without having to determine the value of each retained player, as is currently the case.