'There is nothing more unfair for a player than RTM' - Ravichandran Ashwin shares views on retention rule ahead of IPL mega auction

Ace spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin has shared his views on the Right to Match (RTM) option in IPL mega auctions. According to various reports, several IPL franchises are in favour of having multiple RTMs in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction.

The RTM cards were scrapped in the last IPL mega auction ahead of the 2022 season. However, the rule is set to make a comeback in the forthcoming edition of the IPL player auction. Rajasthan Royals spinner Ashwin, however, expressed his concerns over the RTM rule, saying that it was unfair on the players. The legendary cricketer explained how a team having the option to use the RTM rule to retain a player would not put any bids after the base price, thereby depriving the player of his actual demand.

Calling the RTM system unfair, the ace spin legend questioned how the rule has played its role in the cutthroat auctions between the IPL franchises. He was citing an example of a player assigning him as 'X'. The player in question will go under the hammer on his base price rather than getting an opportunity to fetch a higher-priced range given the potential he holds in terms of skill sets. Hence, should a franchise opts to go all out by playing the RTM card, the deemed 'X' player will be at a huge loss and will be quite unfair on his part even if his current price was higher than the quoted base price.

"For example, there is a player called X. He is on a team called the Sunrisers. There is a player in the SunRisers. His current value is around five to six crores. He went to an auction. SunRisers have to buy the player back. So, the SunRisers will bid for the player at a base price of two crore," Ashwin said in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.

"There is nothing more unfair for a player than RTM. Because how has the RTM rule been so far? For example, there is a player called X. He is on a team called the Sunrisers. There is a player in the SunRisers. His current value is around five to six crores. He went to an auction. SunRisers have to buy the player back. So, the SunRisers will bid for the player at a base price of two crore," he added.

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Problem with RTM is that it is not fair value for the player: Ashwin

Furthermore, Ravichandran Ashwin went on to explain how the other franchises involved in the bidding war would be left disappointed and the player himself would know that he didn't get the true value for the demand he garnered.

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"The KKR and Mumbai Indians are fighting. For a team, it has gone up to six crores. What does SRH say? You bought the player, right? Return the player. Like Soori says in Vennila Kabaddi Kuzhu, they are fooling you. We’ll start again. Very unfair. Because, at this time, SRH has to get the fair value of the player. The problem with RTM is that it is not fair value for the player. So, if you give three RTMs, the players will only go empty-handed. Already, there is no fair value in the auction," Ashwin added in the same video.

Reports suggest that several teams have expressed their desire to retain their cores. Therefore, it is being predicted that a significant number of retentions and RTMs could be allowed for each team. The BCCI is expected to take their final decision regarding this matter soon.