IPL Franchises Demand Change in RTM Card Rule, Approach BCCI

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The BCCI recently released the updated rules for the IPL 2025 auction. Among the changes, the RTM clause has sparked the most debate. According to the new rule, when a player reaches the highest bid, the team that held the RTM card for that player can step in to match the bid. 

However, before they exercise their RTM rights, the highest bidder will be given one final chance to increase their bid. The updated bid can be of any value, and the RTM-holding team must match it if they want to retain the player.

For example, if Team 2 has bid ₹6 crore for a player, and Team 1 holds the RTM for that player, Team 1 will be asked if they wish to use their RTM. If Team 1 says yes, then Team 2 gets a chance to increase their bid, say to ₹9 crore. Team 1 will then need to match this new, higher bid to retain the player. If Team 2 does not raise the bid, Team 1 can secure the player for the original ₹6 crore.

Concerns Over Arbitrary Bids

Several IPL franchises have written to the BCCI, raising concerns over this rule. Their main argument is that the RTM card was originally designed to help teams determine a player’s value, but the new rule distorts that purpose. The fact that the highest bidder can increase their bid by any amount, rather than in smaller, incremental steps, makes it harder for teams holding the RTM card to fairly compete.

The ability to raise bids without any cap or restriction is what franchises find most unfair. They feel it forces them into a difficult position where they might have to pay much more than the player’s value just to retain them.

RTM Limitations

The new rules also clarify that teams can use their RTM rights for a maximum of six players, provided they haven’t retained any players beforehand. As the auction approaches, it remains to be seen whether the BCCI will reconsider the RTM rule after feedback from the franchises. 

With the IPL being such a competitive and financially significant tournament, any changes to the rules can have a big impact on how teams approach the auction and build their squads for the future.

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