All IPL teams are in a huddle as they prepare for Player Retentions before the October 31 deadline. However, many teams haven’t made any clear decisions because the IPL Player Regulations 2025-27 Key Points document from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is unclear.
The document outlines points on Retention, Player Fees/Salary Cap, Match Fees, Performance Pay, and nine Other Considerations for the 2025-27 season. Some teams are still confused after reading just the first page.
It talks about Retention/Right to Match (RTM) and lists prices for players: Player 1 (Rs 18 crore), Player 2 (Rs 14 crore), Player 3 (Rs 11 crore), Player 4 (Rs 18 crore), and Player 5 (Rs 14 crore). However, a footnote gives different interpretations.
It states, “Retention deduction of overall amount instead of fee per player, in this case of 75 Crs irrespective of what amount is paid to 5 players. If the total amount exceeds 75 Crs then actual amount to be deducted. In case the amount is less than 75 Crs then 75 Crs to be deducted.”
Originally, teams thought they had to stick to these prices for retaining players, but the footnote has caused confusion. One senior official from a franchise asked, “What are they trying to say here? It has left us confused too. Does this mean that any price tag can be used for retaining players? For instance, can Player 1 and Player 2 be retained at Rs 18 crore each? If the total retention cost is over Rs 75 crore, then that amount would be deducted from the Salary Cap. If franchises can set their own prices for retentions, then what are the 18, 14, and 11 crore prices for?”
With the deadline just 20 days away, franchises are waiting for a detailed Player Guidelines document that will clarify these points. They hope the BCCI will share it soon.
