The IPL franchise has raised its voices concerning the additional benefits to the highest bidder in the Right to Match process.
Franchises seemed to have doubts questioning the additional advantages granted to the highest bidder in Right to Match process going into the IPL 2025 auction.
Franchise argue that this opportunity undermines the core concept and logic of the RTM.
While BCCI revealed the retention rules Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, the BCCI clarified that the highest bidder in the auction will given an extra chance to increase their bid before the RTM. The increased bid amount can be any of the values which the entitled team is obligated to match.
“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,” says the new rule.
Teams are allowed to bring the Right to Match option in action a maximum of six times during the action, provided they do not retain any players. This includes the option to retain one uncapped player.
BCCI elaborates on the point with an example, “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,” the new RTM rule further read.
The BCCI’s clarification that the increase can be for any amount further diminishes the significance of incremental bids at this stage.
The criticism argues that the new rule could hinder BCCI’s efforts to attract top players to the auction. With retention prices set at INR 18 crores and INR 14 crores for players ranked No.4 and No.5 respectively, the BCCI appears to be discouraging franchises from pursuing retention.
This new RTM clause may not align with that goal, prompting franchises to consider retaining more players without utilising the RTM option.
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