BCCI to ban players for pulling out after IPL auction
The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council has rolled out some fresh rules for the 2025 mega auction. These changes are all about making the auction process smoother and ensuring players are available. So here's the deal: any international player who wants to join the IPL must register for the "Big Auction" before the season kicks off. If they don't, they could face a one-year ban from future auctions, which means their IPL career might take a year-long detour.
IPL 2025: BCCI to reprimand players
The IPL has cracked down on players who bail out after making a commitment. If a player throws their hat in the auction ring, gets picked by a franchise, but then suddenly becomes unavailable before the season kicks off, they're in for a two-season ban, as per ESPNcricinfo. The aim is to make sure franchises get players who are reliable and committed, and to keep teams from facing last-minute shocks due to sudden player unavailability.
IPL 2025: New retention policy
The IPL Governing Council has updated the retention rules. After discussions with all 10 franchises in Bengaluru, it was confirmed that teams can now retain up to six players. This is an increase from the previous limit of four. Teams can secure their core players either through direct retention or by using the Right to Match (RTM) card, which allows a franchise to match the highest bid made for a player they had released prior to the auction.
IPL 2025: Unused retention slots to provide additional RTM cards
For every unused retention slot from the six-player limit, teams will receive an additional RTM card to use during the auction. This change aims to enhance competitiveness and allow franchises to maintain a stable core group while still participating actively in the auction dynamics. BCCI Honorary Secretary Jay Shah revealed in a press release that these decisions were taken after 'a constructive dialogue with owners of the 10 franchises in July.'
