1. Historic Overseas Location and Schedule
The much-anticipated IPL 2025 Mega Auction is set to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This will be the second year the Indian Premier League hosts the event internationally, following last year’s auction in Dubai. The choice of Jeddah emphasizes the league’s global appeal and commitment to reaching a broader audience.
2. Record Number of Players Registered
An unprecedented total of 1,574 cricketers have registered for the auction, making it one of the most competitive events in IPL history. The pool includes 1,165 Indian players and 409 international players, with a blend of seasoned and emerging talent. Among the registrants are 320 capped players, 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 players from Associate Nations, providing franchises with a diverse selection.
3. Key Retentions and Budget Allocations
Ahead of the mega auction, the ten franchises retained a total of 46 players, collectively spending Rs 558.5 crore. Here are some notable retentions:
- Mumbai Indians: Jasprit Bumrah (Rs 18 crore), Suryakumar Yadav (Rs 16.35 crore), Hardik Pandya (Rs 16.35 crore), Rohit Sharma (Rs 16.30 crore), Tilak Varma (Rs 8 crore).
- Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad (Rs 18 crore), Ravindra Jadeja (Rs 18 crore), Matheesha Pathirana (Rs 13 crore), Shivam Dube (Rs 12 crore), MS Dhoni (Rs 4 crore).
- Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli (Rs 21 crore), Rajat Patidar (Rs 11 crore), Yash Dayal (Rs 5 crore).
This spending reflects the franchises’ strategic moves to retain their core players while balancing their auction budgets.
4. Auction Rules and Squad Composition
Each franchise is allowed a maximum of 25 players, including up to eight overseas cricketers. Teams have the flexibility to retain up to six players, consisting of five capped players (Indian or overseas) and two uncapped Indian players valued at Rs 4 crore each. The money spent on retentions will be deducted from the overall auction purse, capped at Rs 120 crore.
5. Updated Salary Slabs for Retained Players
For the 2025 auction, a structured salary slab has been introduced to determine retentions:
- Player 1: Rs 18 crore
- Player 2: Rs 14 crore
- Player 3: Rs 11 crore
- Player 4: Rs 18 crore
- Player 5: Rs 14 crore
This new system ensures that franchise budgets remain balanced, fostering strategic decision-making in player retention.
6. Major Changes to Right To Match (RTM) Cards
A notable rule change has been implemented concerning Right To Match (RTM) cards. Teams that have retained six players will not be eligible for RTM cards, while teams without any retained players will receive six RTM cards. This shift allows franchises with limited retentions to leverage the RTM card option strategically.
For example, if Royal Challengers Bangalore releases Virat Kohli and Mumbai Indians bid Rs 25 crore, RCB can use their RTM card to retain him. Mumbai Indians can then counter with a higher bid, forcing RCB to match it, adding a layer of competitive bidding to the process.
7. A Thrilling Auction with High Stakes
The IPL 2025 Mega Auction promises intense bidding wars and strategic calculations as franchises compete to build the strongest teams. With the event just around the corner, fans eagerly await the outcome, which will set the tone for an exciting season ahead. This auction marks a new era in IPL history, showcasing the league’s evolving global impact.(cricket betting sites)