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IPL Franchises Seek Clarity On BCCI's Confusing Player Retention Policy 

IPL Trophy 2024 (Source: @HustlerCSK/x.com)IPL Trophy 2024 (Source: @HustlerCSK/x.com)

With the October deadline approaching for the IPL franchises to submit their player retention lists for the 2025 season, teams are reportedly facing confusion over the new Player Regulations issued by the BCCI. According to a report from Times of India, franchise officials are uncertain about the retention rules. 

The Player Regulations 2025-27 specify Rs 75 crore retention deduction for each team, regardless of the total money paid to retained players. 

According to the guidelines, the prices for retained players have been listed at INR 18 crore for Player 1, INR 14 crore for Player 2, INR 11 crore for Player 3, INR 18 crore for Player 4, and INR 14 crore for Player 5. The price of an uncapped player has been listed at INR 4 crore.

Franchises can retain a maximum of six players and use RTM cards for an equal number, with the flexibility to choose their combination of retentions and RTMs. However, the fixed price points and overall retention deduction have led to questions from franchise officials.

Franchise officials have expressed several concerns over the unclear retention rules:

1. Salary Cap Deduction for Partial Retentions  

 A primary issue surrounds that Rs 75 crore deduction from the franchise salary cap, which applies regardless of the number of players retained. Franchise officials are questioning whether this full amount would still be deducted if a team retains fewer than five players, or if they opt to retain only one player. The regulation does not specify whether the Rs 75 crore cap remains static or adjusts based on the number of players retained.

2. Price Tag Flexibility

The current retention price structure lists Rs 18 crore, Rs 14 crore, and Rs 11 crore for player retentions, but the franchises are unclear if they are allowed to assign these amounts as they see fit. According to the document, if a franchise’s retention costs exceed Rs 75 crore, the excess amount will be subtracted from the franchise’s salary cap. However, this raises the question of whether franchises have the flexibility to determine their own player pricing within or beyond these set figures. 

3. Retention/RTM Combination Guidelines  

While franchises have the discretion to decide on the number of players they retain or use RTMs on, there is a lack of clarity on how the 18, 14, and 11-crore figures apply to different retention or RTM combinations. Some teams are questioning if these markers are just recommended amounts or if they are mandatory amounts to be used for retained players. 

4. Need for Detailed Documentation 

 Franchise representatives have voiced their concerns over the insufficient detail provided in the current regulations, which they describe as 'pointers' without the depth necessary to make informed retention decisions. 

As franchises await clarification, they are urging the BCCI to release a more detailed explanation of the retention policies. With the deadline looming, the lack of concrete guidelines has left franchises unsure of how to proceed with their player retention strategies. The board has not yet responded to these concerns publicly, but it is expected that the board will need to act quickly to ensure clarity for teams in the lead-up to the 2025 season.