The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will meet with the owners of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises in Mumbai on July 31. This highly anticipated meeting is expected to cover several important topics, with the Auction Purse likely to be a major focus.
Currently set at Rs 100 crore per team, there is a strong chance that it will increase, potentially leading to shifts in strategies for both players and franchise owners.
There are many discussions about star players potentially changing teams ahead of the 2025 season, but if the Auction Purse increases, the likelihood of more players, including established stars, participating in the auctions cannot be overlooked.
The Auction Purse may be the primary topic of Wednesday’s meeting, where most participants are expected to share similar opinions, while there is division on issues such as the Impact Player rule and Retention policies.
Although it is still early, the Impact Player rule received significant criticism during the 2024 IPL season. Many senior cricketers and experienced coaches expressed their disapproval of the rule. While it made the game more exciting for fans and viewers, it negatively affected player development.
“Yes, established all-rounders like Axar and Jadeja continued to secure spots in the playing XI, but having more options meant that players like Washington Sundar barely featured in 2024. This impacted the overall development of players like Sundar, although coaches had more flexibility in their lineups. They could enhance batting or strengthen bowling based on the match situation. Regardless, fans weren’t complaining, as matches remained competitive even at scores of 50/4 or 200/3,” said a franchise official.
The BCCI will gather feedback from various team owners on Wednesday, but senior board officials believe the rule benefits Indian players by allowing teams to include an additional batter or bowler. This has led to a number of high-scoring matches this year, which broadcasters certainly appreciated, as balls frequently sailed into the stands.
Will five be the magic number?
The main topic of discussion at the meeting will be the retention rule, as the Indian cricket board works with franchise owners to determine how many players each team can retain before the mega auction. Additionally, the Right to Match (RTM) option will also be considered by all parties involved.
This is another area where opinions are sharply divided, as each team has its own priorities. Successful teams in recent years are advocating for more retentions, while those that have struggled are inclined to start fresh. Some teams that have developed players over the past 4-5 years are understandably eager for a system that allows them to keep the talent they have identified and nurtured.
The Indian cricket board needs to identify a number that works for all franchises, and five may be that number. A senior franchise official, who has experience with multiple IPL teams, believes that five is the ideal solution as it strikes a balance between continuity and new talent.
“The discussions will continue because every team is in a different situation ahead of the 2025 season. Naturally, teams that have performed well want to secure as many retentions as possible. However, excessive retentions can diminish the value of the auction, which is a crucial element of the IPL ecosystem. In the future, as fan bases become more established for all teams, it could evolve into a transfer-dominated environment, but for now, auctions remain essential.”
