Suryakumar Yadavthe explosive batter for the Mumbai Indians (MI)is poised for a substantial salary increase in the upcoming IPL 2025 season, thanks to newly introduced retention rules by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). These changes are set to reshape the financial landscape of the league and significantly benefit top-performing players like Suryakumar.

Overview of New Retention Rules

The BCCI has announced that IPL franchises can retain a total of six players from their current squads, either through direct retention or by using the Right to Match (RTM) option. The key features of these rules include:

Maximum Retentions: Each team can retain up to five capped players (both Indian and overseas) and two uncapped players.

Increased Auction Purse: The total auction purse has been raised to ₹120 crore, up from ₹100 crore in the previous season.

The salary deductions for retaining capped players are structured as follows:

• 1st Capped Player: ₹18 crore
• 2nd Capped Player: ₹14 crore
• 3rd Capped Player: ₹11 crore
• 4th Capped Player: ₹18 crore
• 5th Capped Player: ₹14 crore

Uncapped players will cost ₹4 crore each. This structure allows franchises to strategically manage their budgets while retaining key players.

Match Fees: For the first time, a match fee of ₹7.5 lakh per game will be awarded to each playing member, including those designated as Impact Players.

“A cricketer playing all league matches in a season will get ₹1.05 crore in addition to his contracted amount. Each franchise will allocate ₹12.60 crore as match fee for the season,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed on X (formerly Twitter).

Impact on Suryakumar Yadav's salary

Suryakumar’s performance has been pivotal for MI, especially after his remarkable run in recent seasons. As one of the leading batsmen in T20 cricket, he stands to benefit significantly from these new rules. If retained, his salary would definitely see an increase aligned with his status as a key player.

Notably, Suryakumar has been retained seven times previously by the Mumbai-based franchise and he currently earns ₹8 crore from the IPL.

Under the new retention rules, if MI opts to retain Suryakumar as one of their top five players, his salary would be set in between ₹11-18 crore. This would not only reflect his value but also enhance MI’s financial commitment to retaining their star talent.

Strategic advantages for MI

By retaining Suryakumar alongside other core players, MI can maintain a competitive edge in the league. The flexibility provided by the RTM option allows them to strategize effectively during the auction, potentially reacquiring other valuable players while ensuring that they keep their star batter.

As IPL 2025 mega auction approaches, Suryakumar’s potential salary hike exemplifies how the new retention rules are designed to reward top-performing players while fostering team continuity. With an increased auction purse and match fees, franchises are better equipped to invest in their key assets, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.