Franchises have suggested conducting a mega auction once every five years, allowing teams to retain between four and six players, and giving each franchise eight right-to-match (RTM) options. These suggestions were shared with IPL officials during feedback sessions ahead of the 2025 auction. The next steps will be discussed in a meeting between IPL officials and franchises, possibly scheduled for the coming week.
According to a senior franchise official, having a mega auction every five years instead of the current three-year cycle has several benefits. A longer gap between auctions would help teams build continuity by focusing on developing young players, especially uncapped Indians. Franchises that have been part of the IPL since its inception in 2008 have invested in building academies to nurture talent from grassroots levels. A mega auction every five years would incentivize teams to continue this development, as opposed to the risk of losing nurtured players to rival franchises in a three-year cycle.
In the past decade, the IPL had four-year cycles between mega auctions twice. The first was in 2018, the first mega auction since 2014 when Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals returned after a two-year suspension. The Covid-19 pandemic forced the 2021 mega auction to be postponed by a year, with franchises extending player contracts accordingly.
Additionally, franchises have suggested allowing teams to directly renegotiate player salaries between mega auctions. This would enable teams to retain core players and improve terms with players acquired at lower prices in previous auctions. The negotiation process would be transparent, with the new contract declared to the IPL, giving franchises control without the risk of players being released.
A CEO at another franchise proposed a retention strategy where teams could retain one major player, possibly the captain, and the rest through RTMs. This approach would let the market determine a player’s value and eliminate monetary disappointments for players lower in the retention order.
While some franchises favor a combination of retaining players and using RTMs, concerns have been raised about potential disgruntlement among retained players if RTM-acquired players secure higher bids. The challenge of balancing retention and RTMs was evident in the 2018 mega auction, where maximum player retention limits and RTM options were introduced.
Franchises are also exploring an option with eight RTM choices and no retentions, though responses to this idea have been mixed. Some view it as creating a level playing field, while others fear rival teams could disrupt auction strategies by driving up prices.
An essential point highlighted by franchises is the need to cultivate a loyal fan base, or tribalism, over the years. For this goal to be achieved, a long-term player retention approach is crucial for better fan engagement.
In the upcoming IPL-franchise meeting, ideas such as the Impact Player rule, purse allocation for the 2025 auction, and potential salary cap deductions for retained players are expected to be discussed thoroughly.
