The newly introduced retention rules might seem designed to accommodate various stakeholders. Still, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has significantly influenced this eagerly anticipated decision. At the core of the regulations unveiled on Saturday lies the BCCI’s clear objective: to preserve the auction’s high profile and competitiveness, reports Live Cricket Score.
Shah Rukh Khan passionately advocated retaining eight players, but the BCCI has proposed allowing six, potentially fulfilling his request through the Right To Match (RTM) option. Kavya Maran also pushed for removing caps on retaining foreign and domestic players, and the BCCI has responded by lifting this restriction. This means she can retain overseas talents like Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, and possibly Abhishek Sharma. Are these teams genuinely content? That remains open to interpretation. However, one thing is sure: the players themselves are likely thrilled.
The BCCI has made it abundantly clear to franchises that while they have the option to retain players, doing so will come at a premium. This is exemplified by the decision to assign Player No. 4 and No. 5 the same value as Player No. 1 and No. 2, priced at INR 18 crore and INR 14 crore, respectively. In previous seasons, retention prices followed a descending scale, but this time, the costs associated with retaining players will significantly impact the franchises’ financial plans.
With INR 75 crore earmarked for five capped retentions and INR 4 crore for one uncapped retention, franchises are committing INR 79 crore from their available budget of INR 120 crore for just six players. This leaves them with a mere INR 41 crore to assemble the rest of their squad, which could require at least 14 additional players. It’s a challenging scenario—acquiring a player for approximately INR 2.5 crore—but the BCCI’s message is unmistakable: retaining players will incur substantial costs.
This strategy aims to draw top-tier players into the auction pool. If all 10 teams opt to keep six players each, the auction risks losing 60 top talents, potentially diminishing its appeal. By increasing the stakes for retention, the BCCI is introducing deterrents. Previously, the retention cap was just above 50% of the total player purse; now, it has escalated to over 65%.
The new clause in the RTM rule also aligns with this goal. It states: “The highest bidder will be given one final opportunity to raise their bid for a player before the team holding the RTM card can exercise their right. For example, if Team 1 holds the RTM for Player X and Team 2 has placed the highest bid of INR 6 crore, then Team 1 will first be asked if they will exercise the RTM. If they agree, Team 2 will have the chance to increase their bid. Should Team 2 raise their bid to INR 9 crore, Team 1 can acquire Player X for INR 9 crore. If Team 2 maintains their bid at INR 6 crore, Team 1 can use the RTM to secure Player X for INR 6 crore.” The BCCI allows franchises to exercise the RTM, but not easily or cheaply.
It’s evident that the BCCI aims to discourage franchisees from retaining too many players, but this approach presents a clear downside: it may provide little incentive for successful teams. The argument stands that if teams wish to keep their core intact, they will have to sacrifice a significant portion—65-66%—of their budget. This scenario leaves little motivation for teams that have performed well, as they receive no additional regulatory support for preserving their winning rosters or retaining their fan base.
Regardless of team sentiment, the new rules are decidedly player-friendly. The introduction of a match fee will resonate with players, allowing Indian and overseas cricketers to earn more per match than they do in entire seasons of other leagues such as the CPL, BBL, PSL, and The Hundred. Additionally, the new RTM clause will likely excite players and inject drama into the auction process. However, one can debate whether this new clause still maintains the essence of RTM.
By categorizing retired players as uncapped, the BCCI facilitates Chennai Super Kings’ retention of MS Dhoni. After all, who wouldn’t want Dhoni in the IPL? Nonetheless, the franchise has not confirmed whether Dhoni will participate in the upcoming season.
The BCCI has set a deadline of 5 PM IST on October 31 for finalizing and submitting the player retention lists. This timeline grants teams approximately a month to strategize and negotiate their retentions. Whether this timeframe is adequate remains a topic for discussion, but they should initiate discussions promptly, as the auction is rapidly approaching.
