The wait is finally over! The Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction 2025 retention rules are finally out. Fans have been abuzz, and now, it’s the turn of the IPL Governing Council to make things official. Here’s what the retention rules look like.
1. Retention Limit
A franchise is entitled to retain only 6 players from its existing squad. This includes, however, both standard retentions as well as the RTM.
2. Retention And RTM
Teams can choose to impact the number of retention and RTMs, however must have an absolute cap of 5 capped players either Indian or overseas and up to 2 uncapped players.
3. Salary Cap
The franchise auction purse has been put at INR 120 Crore for IPL 2025. It includes the total salary cap with an auction purse, performance bonuses and new match fees. This amount has increased from 2024’s total of INR 110 Crore and will be INR 146 Crore in 2025, INR 151 Crore in 2026, and INR 157 Crore in 2027.
4. Additional Match Fees
For the first time ever, all players including the Impact Player, will be entitled to a match fee of INR 7.5 Lakhs besides his contracted salary on each match played.
5. Overseas Player Registration
An overseas player who wants to play will have to get himself registered for the IPL Mega Auction. Any player, not getting himself registered for the Big Auction, cannot attend the following seasons in the auctions.
6. No-Shows Face Consequences
Players who are selected at the auction but are unavailable during the season will be banned by the IPL for 2 seasons.
7. Capped And Uncapped Rule
Each Indian player who never played in the starting XI for a Test, an ODI or a T20I in the last five years or does not hold a BCCI central contract will be declared as uncapped. This is only applicable to Indian players.
8. Impact Sub Continues
The impact player rule remains in force for the IPL 2025–2027 cycle.
Now that the official rules are out, let the speculations begin! Which stars will your favorite franchise lock in for the upcoming IPL season?
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye
