How Many Players Can Be Retained in IPL Mega Auction 2025?

The upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction is set to be a topic of hot debate, with franchises reportedly split on the number of players they can retain before the bidding frenzy.

According to a Times of India report, while some franchises reportedly favour an increase in retention to eight players, others have surprisingly shown interest in starting from scratch. At present, each team is allowed for retaining no more than four players.

This difference in opinion here clearly suggests the diverse strategies teams might employ. Franchises with a strong core might advocate for higher retention to maintain their winning formula. On the other hand, teams needing a complete rebuild might prefer a looser restriction to maximize their options at the auction.

The report also hints at the return of the Right To Match (RTM) card. This card was used during the 2018 auction but not seen in 2022 and it allows teams to hold on to a released player by matching the highest bid placed at the auction.

If RTM is re-introduced then teams may have leverage even if other bidders attempt intimidating them away from securing their main player at any cost.