The Indian Premier League (IPL) The Governing Council (GC) on Saturday, September 28, introduced several major changes that will shape the landscape of the IPL 2025 season. These include new player retention guidelines, Right to Match (RTM) options, auction rules, match fees and increased salary caps. These changes are intended to provide more flexibility to franchises while maintaining fair competition in the league.
Player save and RTM rules
In a significant change for the 2025 season, the IPL has announced that franchises can retain up to six players using the direct retention or RTM options. This new policy gives teams a lot of strategic flexibility in deciding which players to keep. According to the official release of IPL, “Franchises have the option to save a maximum of six players via direct save or RTM.” Of these six retained players, a maximum of five could be held, meaning they could have represented their country at international level, while two could be players yet to make their international debut.
This change allows franchises to strike a balance between retaining experienced players and giving emerging talent a chance. With a mix of indoor and outdoor players, teams can maintain a competitive edge while efficiently managing auction budgets. However, the number and type of players retained will directly affect the auction purse, meaning the financial dynamics of each team will change significantly. For example, if a franchise decides to retain five capped players and one outfielder, it will lose a minimum of INR 79 crore from the auction purse, significantly affecting its ability to bid for other top players during the auction.
Auction wallet increased until 2025
Another important announcement is a 20% increase in the auction purse compared to previous years. For IPL 2025, each franchise will now have INR 120 crore for auction, a significant increase from the previous INR 100 crore. The move is meant to encourage a more competitive auction, with teams having the resources to bid more aggressively for marquee players.
In addition, the total salary cap for each team now includes not only the auction purse, but also increased performance pay and match fees. BCCI’s statement says: “The new salary cap for 2025 will be INR 146 crore, which will increase to INR 151 crore in 2026 and INR 157 crore in 2027.” This increase is intended to reflect the growing revenue and popularity of the IPL, and to ensure that players are adequately compensated. A higher salary cap also allows teams to balance retaining top talent while still being able to bring in promising newcomers to bolster their rosters.
Changes to the no-goal player rules
A notable rule change has been made regarding what is classified as a non-wicket player. Any player who has previously represented India at the international level is classified as an accomplished player. Now under the new rules, “An Indian player will be classified as an uncapped player if he has not played in the starting XI in any international match (Test, ODI or T20I) in the last five years or does not have a central contract with the BCCI.” This new criterion will only apply to Indian players.
This rule provides a new opportunity for veteran players MS DhoniLast played in India in 2019, will be deemed not to have taken place in the retention process. It offers flexibility to teams who are no longer involved in international contention but are interested in retaining popular players who are of great value due to their IPL experience and leadership qualities. It also helps these veteran players remain attractive assets in the auction market.
Overseas player availability and auction eligibility
A major concern raised by team owners has been the behavior of overseas players around the auction system. In recent seasons, some overseas players have sought higher salaries, manipulating the process by pulling out at the last minute or making themselves available only in minor auctions. To address this issue, IPL GC has introduced strict rules to ensure compliance and prevent such practices.
The first rule requires all overseas players to register for the main auction to be eligible to participate. Any player who fails to do so will not be allowed to register for the following year’s auction. Second, if a player registers for the auction and is subsequently selected by a franchise, but then makes himself available without valid reason before the start of the season, he will be banned from the IPL for the next two seasons.
However, exceptions will be made for players withdrawing due to approved medical reasons approved by the respective cricket boards. These new guidelines are intended to bring stability to franchise squads and minimize disruption caused by last-minute withdrawals of players.
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Will the impact player rule continue?
The controversial “Impact Player” rule that was introduced in recent seasons will continue until at least 2027. The rule has been both praised and criticized, with some questioning its effect on the competitive balance of matches. Nevertheless, the IPL GC has decided to keep the rule as no change has been officially announced. The “impact player” rule allows teams to substitute a player at any stage of the match, which can dramatically change the outcome of the game. Its continuation reflects the league’s commitment to keeping the format dynamic and giving franchises more tactical options during matches.
The player credit concept has been reinstated
Another notable innovation is the revival of the “Player Credit” concept. This system allows franchises to loan players to other teams, potentially providing a solution for teams that have too many quality players at certain positions while other teams face shortages. In previous seasons, this rule was not used because franchises were hesitant to loan their players to rivals. However, rule reinstatement provides a valuable option that teams can explore, especially in scenarios where injuries or other issues leave gaps in their teams. Whether this concept will catch on in IPL 2025 remains to be seen.
Application of match fees for players
In a move to benefit the players, the IPL has introduced a playing fee of INR 7.5 lakh per game played, in addition to the players’ contracted salaries. This new match fee is particularly beneficial for players who take part in all league games, ensuring that they are rewarded not only for being part of the team, but also for their consistent presence on the pitch. This additional financial incentive can motivate players to maintain peak fitness and strive for more playing time, adding value to themselves and their franchises. It also acknowledges the efforts and commitment of the players to perform at their best during the grueling IPL season.
