IPL Owners Discuss Retention Rules and Mega Auction at BCCI Meeting

At the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) owners’ meeting organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), key topics such as the impact player rule and player retention policies for IPL 2025 were discussed.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the Delhi Capitals (DC) opposed the impact player rule, while Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) favored retaining up to seven players.

The meeting saw participation from owners of the ten franchises, focusing on the future of retentions, the frequency of mega auctions, and the auction purse. DC co-owner Parth Jindal voiced his opposition to the impact player rule, emphasizing its potential harm to the development of all-rounders in Indian cricket.

“Some people want it because it gives a chance to young players to play in the IPL. Some people don’t want it because it is detrimental to Indian cricket in terms of the development of all-rounders. So it’s a mixed bag. I’m on the second camp. I don’t want it. I prefer the game as it is 11 versus 11, and I think all-rounders are very important. And you have different players who don’t bowl in the IPL or don’t bat in the IPL because of this rule, which is not good for Indian cricket,” Jindal told ESPNcricinfo.

On the other hand, SRH owner Kavya Maran suggested a flexible approach to player retention, combining direct retentions and the right-to-match (RTM) cards. The IPL 2024 winner Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) proposed that eight players should be retained exclusively via the RTM method.

Jindal expressed surprise at some franchises’ opposition to the mega auction, arguing that it levels the playing field and maintains the IPL’s competitive nature.

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia, and KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan were also present at the meeting. Wadia refrained from revealing specific details but assured that the discussions were productive and aimed at benefiting all stakeholders.

“It was a good meeting. Happy to be having a discussion with the BCCI, and I think whatever will be done will be in the best interest of everyone, the fans, cricketers and stakeholders. Maybe the outcome will come in the next two weeks, maybe less or maybe more,” Wadia commented to reporters.