In an upcoming important announcement IPL 2025 player mega auctionthe tournament’s governing body confirmed that the franchise could retain six players. This storage can be done using direct storage or the Right to Adapt (RTM) option.
The player rules also introduce a new rule that classifies a capped Indian player as uncapped who has not played in an XI in international cricket for the past five years. This means that teams can now retain such players and potentially save a significant amount of money.
IPL Retention and RTM Rules
A team is allowed to retain up to six players from their current squad, combining direct retention and RTM. The maximum number of players that can be saved is five, which can include both Indian and overseas players. Additionally, teams can retain a maximum of two players. There is no limit to the number of overseas players that can be stored.
The number of RTM cards available to a team will depend on the number of players they hold prior to the auction.
Also READ: What is RTM card and how to use it in IPL 2025 Auction? Details inside
Potential retention of MS Dhoni
One of the most interesting aspects of the new retention rules is the possibility of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) retaining the former India captain. MS Dhoni as a wicketless player. Given Dhoni’s retirement from international cricket in 2020, he meets the criteria to be considered closed under the new rules.
If CSK decide to keep Dhoni as an outright player, they will have to pay him four crore rupees, which is significantly less than the 12 crore they were due before the 2022 auctions.
Dhoni’s future in the IPL has been the subject of speculation for the past few seasons. After his knee surgery in 2023, he handed over the CSK captaincy to him Ruturaj Gaikwad and played a limited role with the bat in IPL 2024. Dhoni recently hinted that his decision on whether to continue playing in the IPL will depend on the player’s retention rules being finalised.
