Final Retention List for IPL 2025: BCCI Sets Deadline for Teams to Confirm Player Retentions Ahead of the Auction
With the announcement of the Final Retention List for IPL 2025, all the franchises have begun their preparations in full swing. As per the new retention policy released by the BCCI, each team can retain a maximum of five players ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. In addition to these five retained players, teams have the option to use the Right to Match (RTM) card during the auction, allowing them to re-sign one more player who was part of their squad in the previous season. This means that, ultimately, a maximum of six players can continue to play for their old franchises, while the rest of the squad could see significant changes.
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Deadline for Final Retention List Submission
The BCCI has set October 31 as the final date for teams to announce their final retention list for IPL 2025. Franchises must decide and confirm which players they wish to retain before this deadline. Any player making his debut for Team India before October 31 will automatically be considered a capped player under the retention policy. On the other hand, if a player doesn’t make his debut by this date, he will remain in the uncapped category. This distinction is important because capped players generally command higher fees in the auction, while uncapped players can be retained at a relatively lower cost.
Impact on Player Retentions and Categories
The final retention list submission date set by the BCCI gives teams a clear timeline to finalize their decisions. Players like Mayank Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana, who are currently part of the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 series against Bangladesh, have a crucial opportunity ahead of them. If these players make their debuts in the series before the October 31 deadline, they will be reclassified from uncapped to capped players. This reclassification will have a significant impact on their retention and auction value.
If Mayank Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana remain uncapped, their franchises can retain them for a fee of ₹4 crore. However, if they are promoted to the capped category, their value in the retention process and subsequent auction will see a considerable rise. This is because, under the retention policy, the fee structure for retaining capped players is much higher.
Retention Fee Structure for IPL 2025
As per the new retention policy for IPL 2025, the fee structure for retained players is as follows:
- First Retained Player: ₹18 crore
- Second Retained Player: ₹14 crore
- Third Retained Player: ₹11 crore
- Fourth Retained Player: ₹18 crore
- Fifth Retained Player: ₹14 crore
This structure applies to capped players only. If any player transitions from uncapped to capped status before the deadline, teams will have to allocate a much larger portion of their budget to retain them, potentially disrupting their initial retention plans.
Strategic Decisions for Teams
The deadline for submitting the final retention list for IPL 2025 places franchises in a strategic dilemma. While teams would want to retain their core group of players, the emergence of new capped players and the high retention fees could make it challenging to balance the budget. With the Right to Match card also in play, teams must carefully evaluate whether to retain a player now or use the RTM option during the auction.
For players like Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, the upcoming T20 series will be pivotal. If they perform well and secure a debut, they can move into the capped category, thereby increasing their value and bargaining power during retentions and the auction.
With October 31 set as the final date for teams to submit their final retention list for IPL 2025, all franchises are under pressure to make informed decisions.
