The governing council of the league had recently issued new rules for the mega auction of IPL 2025. This time the Right to Match (RTM) card was returned. However, some changes were made in its rules. Now there is an uproar regarding one of these changes. Many teams are not happy about this change and have expressed their concern by complaining to BCCI. In fact, earlier teams used to use RTM cards by agreeing to match the highest bid placed on a player in the auction and include the player back in their team. But now after using this card, the team making the highest bid will be given another chance to increase the bid. Many teams have complained to BCCI regarding this change.

What did the franchisees say in the complaint?

Regarding the RTM card, the franchise has said that its purpose is to determine the market value of the player. But BCCI has not imposed any cap on increasing the price for the team making the highest bid for the last time. Due to this, the bid can be increased arbitrarily during the auction. If this happens then it will have no meaning. According to the report of Cricbuzz, many teams have officially complained in writing to BCCI regarding this very thing. At the same time, some franchisees are discussing with the board officials.

It is also being said that because of this rule of BCCI, any franchise would prefer to use retention instead of RTM card. Because BCCI had set the target of bringing in this rule to attract more and more star players for the auction. On the other hand, Rs 18 crore and Rs 14 crore were fixed for players with No. 4 and No. 5 retention ranks. This allows franchisees to opt for higher retention instead of the RTM card option. Due to this, star players will not be able to come to the auction.

How does RTM card work under the new rules?

In IPL 2025, franchises have been given the option to retain a maximum of 6 players. Right to match card will also be included in this. Franchises can retain a maximum of five capped players (Indian/foreign) and a maximum of two uncapped players. The fewer players the franchise retains, the more Right to Match cards it will have, which it can use in the auction.

Under the new rule, if a player is being auctioned and a team has made the highest bid of Rs 6 crore for him, then the player's current franchise will first be asked whether they want to use their RTM. If it agrees, the first team will be given another chance to increase the bid. If it now increases it to Rs 10 crore, then the player's current team can use its RTM card and re-sign him for Rs 10 crore. This will benefit the player but will cause loss to the existing franchise.