IPL 2025: Franchises Likely to Receive Extended Deadline for Retention List

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises may receive an extended deadline to finalize their retention lists for the 2025 season. As per a report by Cricbuzz, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could delay the announcement of retention policies until the end of September, possibly coinciding with the board's Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Bengaluru on September 29.

Although there is no direct link between the AGM and the IPL retention policy, many believe the announcement will be delayed until the AGM or shortly after. While the BCCI has not made any official statement regarding the delay, officials have hinted that the retention rules may not be released for another 10 days to two weeks.

This would mark a shift from the initial expectation that the policy would be revealed by the end of August, as stated after the last owners' meeting in Mumbai.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the announcement, franchises are now preparing for the likelihood that they will have until mid-November to finalize their retention lists. The IPL 2025 auction, expected in December, will likely include the Right to Match (RTM) option, allowing franchises to match the highest bids for certain players.

The retention and RTM options are a key area of discussion within the BCCI, with three strategies reportedly being considered. These include:

• Allowing three retentions and two RTMs
• Three retentions and three RTMs
• The favoured option of four retentions and two RTMs

The four-retention scenario would enable franchisees to keep a core group of players while allowing other teams to bid on marquee names in the auction. This structure is gaining support from powerhouse teams like the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, who have a strong base of players they want to retain. On the other hand, teams like the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings, which are looking to rebuild, are leaning toward fewer retentions to maximize their auction potential.

Additionally, there is an ongoing debate within the BCCI about whether to hold a mini-auction or a full-scale mega auction for IPL 2025. While successful franchises favor a mini-auction to maintain their squads, others are advocating for a mega auction to promote greater team balance. The BCCI is considering a hybrid solution, which could combine elements of both types of auctions.