What is Right to Match (RTM) card in IPL Auction? 

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In the high-stakes world of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the RTM (Right to Match) card holds significant importance, particularly during mega auctions. But what exactly is it?

What does RTM Stands for? 

RTM stands for Right to Match. It’s essentially a lifeline for franchises to retain their valued players. During a mega auction, where teams undergo a significant overhaul of their squads, the RTM card becomes a crucial tool.

How Does RTM Work?

A team can use the RTM card to match the highest bid for a player who previously represented them. This allows them to retain the player at the price offered by the highest bidder.  

Key Points to Remember About RTM

• Availability: RTM is exclusively available during mega auctions, not regular player auctions. 
• Limit: Teams can retain a maximum of five players before an auction. If they retain three players beforehand, they have two RTM cards. Similarly, if they retain two players, they get three RTM cards. (not updated for 2025 yet) 
• Process: When a player is being auctioned, if a team wants to retain them using RTM, they must match the highest bid.

An Example

Imagine that Virat Kohli is not retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) before the IPL 2025 mega auction. His name goes into the auction pool. If Mumbai Indians bid INR 15 crores for Kohli, RCB can exercise their RTM card to match that bid and retain their star player. 

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