IPL Owners Debate Impact Player Rule and Retentions for 2025 Season

At the IPL owners meeting, Delhi Capitals opposed the impact player rule, while Sunrisers Hyderabad backed seven retentions. The meeting, organized by the BCCI, discussed other key points including the frequency of mega auctions and the auction purse. Official outcomes are awaited.

At the Indian Premier League (IPL) owners meeting, organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Delhi Capitals (DC) opposed the impact player rule, while Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) supported seven retentions, ESPNcricinfo reports.

The BCCI convened with owners of the ten franchises to discuss various points concerning retentions for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. Among the agenda items were the frequency of mega auctions and the auction purse.

After the meeting, Parth Jindal, co-owner of Delhi Capitals, noted that some teams favor the impact player rule because it allows young players to participate in the T20 tournament. However, others, including Jindal himself, believe it hinders the development of allrounders in Indian cricket.

SRH owner Kavya Maran proposed that players could be secured via a plain retention process, a combination of retention and RTM (right-to-match) at the auction, or exclusively via RTM cards. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the IPL 2024 winner, requested that eight players be allowed to be bought back via RTM.

Jindal expressed surprise that some franchises opposed the mega auction altogether, advocating instead for smaller auctions to maintain competitiveness in the league.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah, Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia, and KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan were also present. Wadia commented positively on the meeting but refrained from sharing specifics, stating that outcomes will serve the best interests of all stakeholders.

(With inputs from agencies.)