BCCI schedules IPL Team Owners meeting to discuss Player Retention Policy and Salary Cap
Recently, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has scheduled a very important meeting on 31st July 2024. Usually, these types of meetings take place in a grand and luxurious 5-star hotel, but this time it is set to be held at the BCCI’s refurbished office in the Wankhede Stadium Complex, Mumbai.
The BCCI along with the owners of all 10 IPL (Indian Premier League) franchises will discuss the Player Retention Policy and salary cap in the upcoming season. Also, the discussion will hold influential topics about the possible re-introduction of the RTM (Right to Match) option.
This meeting will be held before the beginning of the most anticipated IPL mega auction in December 2024. Spectators, Cricket experts, and even franchise owners are eagerly waiting for this meeting. Because they would get clarity about the retention policy and the possible benefits of the RTM option and these were the most important elements in the previous auctions.
Discussion to be held on Player Retention Policy
One of the major reasons to schedule this meeting is to discuss player retention policy. The number of retentions allowed or permitted for each IPL franchise has different opinions.
A few are stating that most of these franchises are operating for so long around 17 years, so at least 8 retentions should be permitted. Because they feel that IPL teams are built around players, fan engagement as well as the franchise brand development and identity should continue improving.
On the other hand, a few franchises are asking BCCI to keep the number of retentions minimum.
Debate around RTM (Right to Match)
While player retention policy has different opinions, there is also an ongoing heated debate about including the RTM (Right to Match) option in the most anticipated IPL mega auction. BCCI is collecting all these different feedback and opinions from franchises regarding this matter. Also, the IPL CEO Hemang Amin met the representatives and members of IPL franchises to collect their expressive opinions.
Top Retained Player Salary could be Rs. 20 CRORE for IPL 2025
The meeting committee will also discuss the salary cap along with the player retention policy and RTM option. Out of the 3-year cycle, the first-year salary cap is projected to be approximately Rupee 120 crore.
The meeting will include discussions on player retention values and the top retained player salary is usually 16% to 17% of the Total Salary Cap. For example, if the total salary cap is Rs. 80 crore, the leading retention was around 12 crore.
This time, if the same formula is followed, then the top retained player’s salary is speculated to be around Rs. 20 crore or more. However, it is expected that during the meeting, BCCI will soon clarify all these matters including the retained players’ salaries.
Impact player rule
Above all the points to be discussed in the BCCI meeting, the IPL franchises will mainly discuss the Impact player rule, which has received mixed controversial reactions.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma stated that the Impact player rule became an obstruction and interfered with the growth of all-rounders in the team. Also, the decision concerning the budget for the 2025 auction could be discussed during the meeting.
Different Opinions asking 5 to 6 Player retention to be allowed
Some franchises are asking for 5 to 6 retentions because they want to focus on their brand building. Whereas, a few franchises are asking for more than 6 retentions to continue having a loyal fan base.
However, there is another ongoing argument regarding if a team is to have more retained players then what is the use of conducting such an honorable event of mega auction.
Most of the IPL teams are willing to retain at least 6 players so that the mega auction will have a competitive environment.
But as other franchises are asking for 8 player retentions, it would become a total of 80 retained players for all 10 teams. Due to this, many top players would not be available for trade and the franchises would possibly bid only for the fillers.
Combining the RTM (Right to Match) and Retention Policy
Another thought that recently circulated was to combine RTM (Right to Match) and Retention policy, just like they did earlier in the 2018 mega auction where up to 5 players are allowed for retaining in each team.
And, out of those 5, up to 3 players can be retained before the auction, and during the auction, 2 players can be bought back to the team under the RTM option. In addition to that, if a franchise hasn’t retained any player, they can buy them back during the auction by using their 3 RTM options. For that, they will have to match the price in the auction after that player’s bidding is done.
