Player retention, Impact Player rule and auction cap, key topics of debate in the meeting between team owners, BCCI and IPL GC

A decision on the number of player retention, Impact Player rule, auction cap are top of the agenda list when the owners of the 10 IPL franchises sit down with the bigwigs of the BCCI and IPL Governing Council members in Mumbai on Wednesday evening.

With the IPL set to have a large player auction ahead of the next season, the meeting in Mumbai is important as the IPL’s Governing Council is set to arrive at key decisions, which would have a bearing on the auction. While all eyes are on the retention policy, it would be interesting to see whether the salary purse is increased from Rs 100 crore.

Several Indian players are already talking with other franchises about a possible move and franchises wanting to retain these players believe unless the purse is increased, they won’t be able to retain them. If the auction purse isn’t increased, then there is a strong possibility that some of the top Indian players will be available at the auction. It shouldn’t be a surprise if young Indian players attract more interest than the senior players who are in their mid-30s.

The Indian Express understands that all the franchises are unanimous about having continuity in their squad and want to retain at least 5-6 players from the previous season. However, there is no general consensus on how to go about it.

Four or more?

For instance, some franchises want the IPL GC to stick to its previous policy of retaining four players before the auction. Additionally, they prefer the IPL GC to provide them with two Right to Match (RTM) cards. But not all are unanimous with the RTM cards as there is a fear that franchises could use it to inflate the price. A top franchisee wanted the IPL to scrap retention policy and suggested having as many as 8 RTM options. But that idea hasn’t found enough support.

There is plenty of debate around overseas slots that can be retained. Ahead of the 2022 season, when franchises were allowed to retain a maximum of four players, the obligation was to not retain more than three Indian players and two overseas players. If the IPL GC accepts the franchise requests of retaining 5-6 players, then it would be interesting to see how many overseas players the franchises would retain.

MS Dhoni of Chennai Superkings batting during match 68 of the Indian Premier League season 17 (IPL 2024) between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings held at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on the 18th May 2024. (Photo by Saikat Das / Sportzpics for IPL)

“The big auctions have always given the teams an opportunity to build fresh. It is why they bring in new coaches in the previous season, so that they can build a team at the big auctions. As the IPL has evolved, teams are keen on continuity. Of course, there will be changes here and there, but all of us want to retain the core,” says a franchise official, which has had a habit of rebuilding way too often.

While there have been speculations that the franchises want the gap between big auctions to increase from three to five years, it is understood that a majority are happy with the existing set-up. The reason being, in case their vision goes wrong, they can course correct it sooner than later. Although having a big auction every five years would have allowed the franchises to make use of the uncapped local players from their academies, not all are blessed with it. Apart from Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, who all have invested big in their academies, the rest have catching-up to do.

While some franchises have been pushing for the IPL GC to give them a freehand to negotiate salaries during the contracted period, there is a strong chance of the teams exceeding the salary cap. Last season, the BCCI introduced an incentive for uncapped Indian players who go on to play international cricket. By that policy, their salary would increase based on their international caps and it would reflect accordingly in the auction purse.

Impact player rule

The other big topic of discussion will be around the Impact Player rule. Since the rule came into being in 2023, it has allowed teams to go for totals in excess of 200 on a consistent basis. Last season, teams repeatedly scored 250 and above and still found their totals unsafe. Several of the coaches involved have voiced their concerns about the rule which doesn’t allow them to use all-rounders with specialists being preferred. It has also led to all-rounders warming the bench and missing out on national team berths. The mood among the franchises is that they seem to be happy off without the Impact Player rule. But whether the BCCI and IPL GC agree remains to be seen.

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On the table

1: Discussion on IPL Player Regulations including:

A) Players Retention & Right to Match

B) Salary Cap

C) Big Auction

D) Capped to uncapped players

E) Player Trade & Loan

2: Overseas Players

3: Discussion on Impact Player Rule

4: IPL Gaming rights

5: Discussion on IPL Central Merchandising

6: To consider any other business matters related to the IPL.

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