IPL franchises have until November 15 to confirm retentions, RTM to return in 2025 mega auction

All the talk about the IPL 2025 season revolves around the mega auction at the moment. Everything hinges upon it. Rumours have been floating. One day we hear Suryakumar Yadav might leave the Mumbai Indians. Another day, we get to know that KL Rahul won’t lead the Lucknow Super Giants and instead move back to his old franchise, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. 

About three months away from the mega auction, we’re yet to know what the rules regarding the IPL 2025 retention policy are. Until they are out, the speculations will continue.

The BCCI was initially planning to roll them out in July end, but it got shifted to August end, and now we’re hearing they’ll finally come in September end. Most likely after September 29, when the BCCI AGM (Annual General Meeting) takes place in Bengaluru.

However, the deadline for finalisation for retentions has been released. According to Cricbuzz, November 15 will be the last date for the ten franchises to name the players they wish to retain ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. As has been the case for some time now, the auction will take place in December, but the date hasn’t been set yet.

RTM to return?

Right to Match (RTM) cards are expected to make a return as well. They haven’t been since the mega auction in 2018. Back then, a maximum of 5 players were allowed to be retained by each franchise, with not more than 3 players being bought back using the RTM. If it indeed makes a comeback, we could have multiple variations for player retention in the IPL 2025 mega auction.

“Look, we have only heard positive things about RTMs. But at this moment, we are not sure. I can only confirm what BCCI has officially conveyed to us (franchises). But the fact is, the BCCI has not confirmed anything to the teams. So, RTMs could be back or may not be depending on the number of retentions allowed,” the franchise official told InsideSport.