Check out the latest update on IPL 2025 player retention

The release of the retention regulations for the Indian Premier League (IPL) may face further delays. According to rumors circulating among IPL franchise owners and officials, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could push back the announcement until the end of the month. If the policy is unveiled around the time of the BCCI's Annual General Meeting (AGM), which is scheduled for September 29 in Bengaluru, it would not be unexpected. Despite the AGM and IPL policies being unrelated, the BCCI has the potential to make a surprise announcement in the coming days. However, IPL officials generally anticipate that the retention policy announcement might be delayed by at least 10 days to two weeks. Although no official statement has been made, it is believed that teams contacting BCCI officials about the retention rules have been informed of a potential postponement.

Previously, after the owners' meeting in Mumbai last month, BCCI officials had suggested that the policy would be unveiled before the end of August. However, as the deadline approached, franchise executives were informed of an additional delay when they reached out to the BCCI. This unexpected development has left IPL teams and stakeholders awaiting further updates with a degree of uncertainty about the new retention regulations. Franchises are expected to have until November 15 to finalize their retention decisions, regardless of when the BCCI announces its retention policy. The Right to Match (RTM) options, likely to be introduced in the auction scheduled for December, will also be a key feature.

There is uncertainty about how the BCCI’s potential decision to categorize retired international players as uncapped will affect the auction outcomes. While this policy could influence player availability, it is speculated that the move is aimed at benefiting the league as a whole rather than giving an unfair advantage to any specific team. For example, if MS Dhoni is classified as an "uncapped" player, it may not necessarily be intended to favor Chennai Super Kings, but rather to keep a prominent player like him in the league for an additional season. This approach could enhance the overall competitive balance and appeal of the IPL.

If MS Dhoni chooses to participate in the upcoming IPL season, he is expected to be one of Chennai Super Kings' retentions, even if the BCCI limits the number of retentions to two. This scenario highlights Dhoni’s significance to CSK, reinforcing his potential role in the team regardless of the retention cap.

Interestingly, the BCCI’s decision to classify retired international players as uncapped could also impact players like Sunil Narine. Narine, who left international cricket some time ago and last played in a Twenty20 match in 2019, might be affected by this policy. The inclusion of such players in the uncapped category could influence team strategies and auction dynamics.

Despite these changes, it is generally believed that the policy of uncapping retired players will not significantly affect the auction purse. The BCCI will reduce the purse based on the number of retentions, allowing franchises to manage their budgets more effectively. This adjustment means that franchises will have more flexibility in setting player prices during the auction, without the need to factor in the specific value of each retained player. Overall, the new policy aims to streamline the retention process and provide teams with a clearer financial framework for assembling their squads.