IPL 2025: BCCI Looks for Saudi Arabia as Venue for Mega Auction
BCCI is looking at Riyadh and Jeddah as possible destinations for the much-awaited IPL 2025 mega auction that is scheduled to take place in the last week of November. It was earlier considered to be held in Dubai, however not anymore. The BCCI officials are said to have found it challenging to source a suitable venue or hotel in Saudi Arabia since the costs have gone higher than what it used to be in Dubai where the last IPL auction took place successfully in December 2023. Even though the Indian Premier League franchises and BCCI boast of financial muscles, the search for the right location seems tight. London First Perturbation London was initially considered, but BCCI removed the UK from their list citing unfavourable cold weather at this time of the year. Now, they are eyeing a venue that will easily accommodate an auction spread over two days and a huge IPL entourage involving 10 franchise representatives and other major broadcasters like Jio and Disney Star. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
BCCI Confirms Match Fees for IPL 2025
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) aims to provide Indian Premier League (IPL) players with a huge amount when it introduced a match fee for INR 7.5 lakh-a sum of almost $ 9000-to be spent per game from IPL 2025. This will be on top of the match fee of their contracts, whose franchises would have to allocate INR 12.6 crore (approximately US$ 1 million), according to BCCI Secretary Jay Shah on X. Above And Beyond Auction Purse The match fees, of course, add up to INR 90 lakh for each match and over 14 league matches add up to the total payout of INR 12.6 crore in cash for the season. Boost For Low Contract Players The new policy is expected to increase the earnings of those players signed at or near their base price at auctions but have risen in stature over the course of their IPL career. For example, take the case of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Rajat Patidar, who signed initially at an uncapped price of INR 20 lakh. Under this new match fee rule, when Patidar plays 15 IPL 2024 matches, he earns an excess of INR 1.125 crore. The Concerns Of The Franchises Franchise owners did express dissent, however, to the new plan. That reportedly needs to know whether the benchwarmers will be included or not. In earlier times, players were rewarded with discretionary bonuses up to the performance of the team. However, the IPL reportedly will not go beyond the match fee, which was proposed. The final retention rules will shed more light on the issue ahead of the mega auction in 2025. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2025 Retention Rules Announced
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
IPL 2025 to Stick with 74 Matches Amid Player Workload Concerns
The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will remain at 74 matches. The same number will be seen as in the last three seasons, despite the IPL having planned for one more game on its initial schedule for next year. According to reports, the IPL had outlined a growing schedule in its media rights tender for the 2023-27 cycle. This was said to project the next two seasons with 84 matches each in 2025 and 2026, then increase to 94 by 2027. Player Load Identified However, the IPL authorities have barred expansion in 2025 as they say that player load for Indians needs to be managed. This relates particularly to the WTC final where India will participate on June 11 at Lord’s, wherein players will need sufficient rest and preparation. BCCI on the Player’s Well-being Confirming recently, the outgoing BCCI secretary Jay Shah said that though the contract allows for up to 84 matches, the board is prioritizing player well-being. He also brought to notice the fact that the discretion to organize the IPL with either 74 or 84 matches each season lies with the BCCI. For 2025, they have opted for the conservative number. Media Rights and Special Package The BCCI sold the media rights of the IPL for 48,390.5 crores in 2022, for a sum approximating USD 6.2 billion, packaged in four categories including one, for instance, which contained high-profile matches such as playoff games. With an increase in the total number of games in the IPL, the number of matches in that special package rose and it included 18 with the total number of games amounting to 74. Had the IPL had been expanded to 84 matches, that special package would have increased to 20 games. IPL Tentative Schedule 2025 It’s not yet officially confirmed, however IPL 2025 probably will take place from mid-March to late May. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Vikram Rathour Shakes Hands With The Rajasthan Royals
The Rajasthan Royals have appointed former Indian opener Vikram Rathour as their new batting coach. With six tests to his credit for India, Rathour walks into the Rajasthan Royals’ dressing room with rich experience having served as Indian Cricket Team’s batting coach during the recent coaching stint. His tenure with the men in blue ended on a high as India under his guidance won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June 2024. Former Team India Coaching Reunion At The Royals Vikram Rathour was appointed after another Rajasthan Royals big-hitting move: they signed former India head coach Rahul Dravid on a multi-year deal last week. The 48-year-old Dravid, often called “The Wall” for his remarkable batting and leadership abilities, will take up the position of head coach after leading India to their first ICC title in 11 years, with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Royals Eye 2025 Title After Narrow Miss in IPL 2024 On paper, the Royals have given some fantastic performances during recent seasons however they were bowed out to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 in IPL 2024. Given that Rathour and Dravid have most recently guided a team towards the trophy, that too in T20s, the Rajasthan Royals is anticipated to go all the way to the trophy in IPL 2025. Building a Winning Culture The appointment of Rahul Dravid and Vikram Rathour will surely serve as a buildup ahead of the new season as these massive inclusions seek to hint at Rajasthan Royals’ intentions at having a title shot. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2025: Zaheer Khan Joins Lucknow Super Giants As Mentor
Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan has signed up with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as their mentor for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. He has filled in the shoes left vacant by the former captain of India and LSG’s mentor till 2023, Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir slipped into a similar role with KKR in IPL 2024 and currently is the head coach of the Indian Men’s Cricket Team. A Dual Role For Zaheer Khan Zaheer Khan brings loads of experience both as a player and in various coaching roles and will double up as the bowling coach following the departure of Morne Morkel, who joined Gambhir’s coaching staff with the Indian team. Asked about his bowling coach role during a media interaction, Zaheer did not confirm it but just smiled and said, “If I am there in the set-up, does the team need another bowling coach?“ Zaheer Khan’s IPL Resume Zaheer played his grossest season in the Indian Premier League back in the year 2008 for the Mumbai Indians and then for RCB and Daredevils amassing 102 wickets from 100 games at an economy of 7.58. Since his retirement from the game in the year 2017, he has gone on to serve the Mumbai Indians from 2018 to 2022 in the dual role of director of cricket and then head of global development. Building for the future With Justin Langer at the helm, along with his assistants Lance Klusener and Adam Voges, LSG is getting ready for the mega auction. Zaheer Khan is expected to play an important role in off-season scouting and player development as they build on an excellent start in the IPL. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2025: Key Takeaways From IPL Franchises And BCCI Meeting
It was a crunch sitting at Wankhede Stadium where owners of IPL franchises sat on Wednesday, 31st July, 2024 to discuss the future of player retention and the highly debated mega auction system. It soon changed into a heated debate regarding the relevance and sustainability of the mega auction, and a huge divide among franchises became evident. Key Figures Raise Their Concerns It was inside a meeting on the fourth floor of the BCCI headquarters that some of the biggest names in the IPL ownership circle lambasted the mega auction. Shah Rukh Khan, owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Kavya Maran were the most vocal against the mega auction, asking for it to be scrapped. Both teams were finalists in the IPL 2024 and hence, the owners argued that the present structure disrupts the continuity of a team, which is a precondition for brand building and the retention of fans’ interest. Tensions Flare Between KKR and PBKS Owners When it came to the process of retention, Shah Rukh Khan, as usual, got highly involved with KKR; an eyewitness said that Shah Rukh Khan was embroiled in a hot debate with Ness Wadia, Punjab Kings co-owner. It would go on to informed discussions, but Wadia later denied any personal vendetta and said all stakeholders’ interests needed to be taken into consideration. “I have known Shah Rukh for over 25 years. There is no animosity here,” said Wadia while outlining a solution fair for all franchises. SRH Supports KKR’s Stance Supporting the stance of KKR, Kavya Maran from SRH opined that smaller auctions perhaps was the way ahead considering the stress it was to have a balanced side with the existing system in place. Using Abhishek Sharma as an example, whose journey to consistency took years, she spoke of a developing story of times and investment required in young talent. Delhi Capitals Opposes To this end, on the other side of this argument, Parth Jindal of Delhi Capitals responded to this by supporting the mega auction. He said, “having a mega auction makes it fair and keeps us competitive“. He further said he did not like the view to have the Impact Player rule continued as it hampers the development of allrounders in Indian cricket. Others on the franchisee level present for the meeting were Kiran Kumar Grandhi of Delhi Capitals, Sanjiv Goenka of Lucknow Super Giants, Rupa Gurunath of Chennai Super Kings, Manoj Badale of Rajasthan Royals and Prathmesh Mishra of Royal Challengers Bangalore. Some, such as Ambanis of Mumbai Indians, used video conferencing. BCCI Responds and the Future Steps Finally, after the deliberations, the BCCI released a statement admitting to the various views expressed by the franchise owners. The Board said that the inputs regarding player regulations and commercial matters, including central merchandising and licensing, would be taken up by the IPL Governing Council and reconsidered. Still Awaiting the Final Verdict As the cricketing world has to now wait and watch for the final decision of the BCCI, the mega auction further does go on to underline the complexities of balancing competition with the business interests for the diverse stakeholders associated with the IPL. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2025: Here’s What Franchises Proposed Ahead Of 2025 Auction
In a series of feedback sessions with the Indian Premier League (IPL) officials, franchises have suggested several substantial changes to the player retention process, aiming to ensure more stability and strategic depth in team compositions. The next steps will be discussed in an upcoming meeting between IPL officials and franchise representatives, which will take place on 31st of July, 2024. Here are a couple of key suggestions from the franchises. 1. Mega Auction Cycle Change Franchises are advocating for the IPL mega auction to be held once every five years instead of the current three-year cycle. According to a senior franchise official, this change would offer multiple benefits, including the opportunity for teams to build continuity by developing young, especially uncapped Indian players. The longer cycle would incentivize franchises to continue investing in their grassroots academies without the immediate threat of losing nurtured talent to rival teams. 2. Retention and RTM Options Teams have proposed the ability to retain between four and six players, coupled with eight Right-to-Match (RTM) options. One of the franchise CEOs suggested allowing teams to retain one marquee player, such as the captain, with the rest being retained through RTMs, thus letting the market determine player prices and reducing potential dissatisfaction among retained players regarding their monetary value. 3. Salary Renegotiations Another proposal involves allowing franchises to renegotiate player salaries between mega auctions. This would help teams retain their core players and reach better terms with players originally acquired at lower prices. The process would be transparent, with new contracts declared to the IPL, however would be controlled by the franchise without players having the option to be released. Historical Context and Current Challenges Historically, the IPL has conducted mega auctions in four-year cycles twice in the last decade. The first was in 2018, following the 2014 auction and the return of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals from suspension. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2021 mega auction to be deferred by a year, leading to an extension of player contracts. Currently, franchises face challenges with players, particularly those who were uncapped and bought at low prices but have since become maga contributors or international players. These players might prefer re-entering the auction to secure higher contracts, which could be seen as unfair by the franchises that initially identified and developed them. Varied Responses to RTM-Only Proposal One of the franchises has proposed using only RTM options without any direct retentions, providing eight RTM options per team. The idea has received mixed reactions. Some franchises believe it promotes a level playing field, while others fear it could disrupt their auction strategy as rivals might drive up player prices. Focus on Fan Engagement Several franchises stretched on the importance of creating a loyal fan base. With frequent squad overhauls every three years, maintaining fan loyalty becomes challenging. Franchises argue that longer retention periods would help build stronger connections with fans, fostering a sense of loyalty and engagement. IPL officials and franchise representatives are expected to discuss these suggestions in detail in the forthcoming meeting. Other topics likely to be on the agenda include the Impact Player rule, which has received mixed feedback, the purse for the IPL 2025 auction and potential changes to the salary cap deduction for retained players. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2025: Rahul Dravid To Potentially Join Rajasthan Royals As Head Coach
Former Indian Cricket Team head coach Rahul Dravid, might soon make a comeback to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the head coach of Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL 2025 season. Sources revealed that the discussions are ongoing between Dravid and the franchise and fans could expect an official announcement soon. DRAVID’S CONNECTION WITH RR The 51-year-old, who recently led the Indian Cricket Team to victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, has a deep connection with Rajasthan Royals. He previously captained the Royals and played a crucial role in taking them to the final of the Champions League T20 in 2013. Even after retiring, Dravid stayed involved, mentoring the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2014 and IPL 2015 before moving on to coach various levels of Indian cricket. As a coach he has been very supportive towards his players and captains bot at the Royals and at the Indian Cricket Team. “Talks are going on between Dravid and RR and an announcement in this regard is round the corner,” a source familiar with the talks revealed. JOURNEY WITH THE INDIAN CRICKET TEAM Dravid’s coaching journey with the Indian Cricket Team reached its pinnacle with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup victory in June this year. His strategic approach towards the players and guidance helped Rohit Sharma and his Indian Cricket Team to secure their second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title. It was a moment of immense pride for Dravid, who had faced a setback in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final against Australia. A ROYAL HOMECOMING ON THE CARDS Having also served as the head coach after succeeding Ravi Shastri in 2021 and as chairman of the National Cricket Academy, Dravid’s potential return to the IPL with the Rajasthan Royals hints at a promising new chapter. The Rajasthan Royals is renowned for nurturing young talent and Dravid’s vast experience and knowledge could be a massive boost for the Royals. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2025: KL Rahul To Potentially Move From RCB To LSG
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) gears up for its mega auction ahead of the 2025 season, the rumor mill is abuzz with speculations that could reshape the landscape of the tournament. One of the most intriguing whispers making the rounds is the potential move of KL Rahul from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Rahul’s Stint with LSG: A Rocky Ride KL Rahul’s journey with LSG has been marked by ups and downs. Despite his talent and leadership qualities, his tenure with the franchise has not been as smooth as expected. Reports of a strained relationship with the franchise owner had surfaced after a heated post-match discussion between the two went viral during IPL 2024 after KL Rahul and his LSG were put to the sword by the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). This tension, coupled with the team’s inconsistent performance, has led to speculation that Rahul might be seeking a fresh start. The RCB Connection: A Homecoming for Rahul? The prospect of KL Rahul returning to RCB has created a buzz among fans and analysts. Rahul, who has a strong connection with Bangalore, having played for the franchise earlier in his career, is seen as a perfect fit for RCB’s ambitions. His familiarity with the Chinnaswamy Stadium and the local fan base adds an emotional element to this potential move. Leadership at RCB: A New Era? If the move materializes, Rahul is likely to take over the captaincy from Faf du Plessis. While Du Plessis has led RCB to the playoffs two out of three times, his advancing age (40) might be a factor for the team management to consider a change in leadership. Rahul, with his experience of leading both LSG and Punjab Kings (PBKS), brings a wealth of knowledge and tactical acumen to the table. Rahul’s Impact: A Power Move for RCB For RCB, acquiring KL Rahul would be a powerful move. His ability to anchor the innings while also accelerating the scoring rate makes him a valuable asset. Most importantly, Rahul’s leadership could provide the stability and strategic vision needed for RCB to finally secure their maiden IPL trophy. The IPL never ceases to surprise and the upcoming season promises to be no different. Whether KL Rahul dons the RCB jersey once again remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, the IPL 2025 season is shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle, with major potential player movements the buzz is on. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
