IPL 2025 Retention: Franchises Express Discontent with Revised Right To Match Rule – Report

Franchises in New Delhi are reportedly unhappy with the enhanced benefits of the Right To Match (RTM) in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega-auction, as per a report by Cricbuzz. The BCCI recently unveiled the retention rules for IPL 2025, including a revised RTM rule. Under the new RTM rule, the highest bidder will have the chance to increase the bid for a player that their current team has placed the RTM on, causing frustration among several franchises.

“The highest bidder will be given one final opportunity to raise their bid for a player before the team holding the RTM card can exercise their right,” BCCI had said in a statement a few days ago. The franchises have argued that the extra opportunity undermines the definition and logic of RTM.

Elaborating the point, the BCCI said, “For example, if Team 1 holds the RTM for Player X and Team 2 has placed the highest bid of Rs. 6 Cr, then Team 1 will be first asked if they will exercise RTM, if Team 1 agrees, then Team 2 will have the chance to increase their bid. If Team 2 raises their bid to Rs. 9 Cr, then Team 1 can use the RTM and acquire Player X for Rs. 9 Cr. If Team 2 chooses not to raise the bid and keeps it at Rs. 6 Cr, Team 1 can use the RTM and get Player X for Rs. 6 Cr.”