Ganesh Kendale
Every Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise has gone into huddle mode as they finalise their Player Retentions before the October 31 deadline. But, most are yet to take concrete steps due to the ambiguity in the IPL Player Regulations 2025-27 Key Points document shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The six-page document, accessed by TimesofIndia.com, has pointers on Retention, Player Fee/Salary Cap, Match Fee, Performance Pay and nine Other Considerations for the 2025-27 cycle.
Some franchises are still stuck on the opening page of the document, which briefly explains the Retention/Right to Match (RTM). The Indian cricket board has listed prices of Player 1 (Rs 18 crore), Player 2 (Rs 14 crore), Player 3 (Rs 11 crore), Player 4 (Rs 18 crore) and Player 5 (Rs 14 crore) but has invited different interpretations with a footnote.
It reads, “Retention deduction of overall amount instead of fee per player, in this case of 75 Crs irrespective of what amount is paid to 5 players. If the total amount exceeds 75 Crs then actual amount to be deducted. In case the amount is less than 75 Crs then 75 Crs to be deducted”
It was previously understood that the price tags need to be followed for player retentions but the footnote has created ambiguity.
“What are they trying to say here? It has left us confused too. Does this mean that any price tag can be followed while retaining players? Say Player 1 and Player 2 can be retained at Rs 18 crore each? And if the total price of retentions exceeds Rs 75 crore then that would be deducted from the Salary Cap. If it’s a free hand for the franchises to use their own prices for different retentions then what are the 18, 14 and 11 markers for?,” queried a senior official at a franchise.
The IPL Player Regulations 2025-27 Key Points document as shared by the BCCI with franchises. Image: TimesofIndia.com
“Since the footnote also says that if the amount is less than Rs 75 crores then also Rs 75 crore would be deducted. So they are trying to imply that one can retain Player 2 and 3 for a cheaper price than 14 and 11? A lot of clarity is needed because it is the most important piece of the puzzle and we have already asked for more clarification and explanation from the board,” added the official.
Player Guidelines document
With the deadline just 20 days away, the franchises are waiting for a comprehensive Player Guidelines document which may explain the pointers in detail. They are hoping it would be shared by the BCCI in the next few days.
“What we have got right now is just pointers. So many things are just stated and don’t have enough explanation/clarification for any team to act upon. We are hoping for a proper 30-40 page document, which explains everything, especially the footnote under retention/RTM rule,” said another official at an IPL franchise.
