The meeting of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners and the BCCI, originally scheduled for April 16 in Ahmedabad, has been postponed, according to multiple sources. The BCCI informed franchise owners that the meeting was delayed due to changes in the IPL schedule, though a new date has not been set. Meanwhile, certain franchises have strongly opposed increasing the number of player retentions.
The meeting aimed to deliberate the future of the IPL, including next year’s mega-auction. The BCCI leadership sought the owners’ perspectives on potential changes to the number of player retentions permitted and the size of teams’ total salary caps. Rumors have circulated about expanding the retention limit beyond the current four players and substantially increasing the Rs 100 crore salary cap.
However, some argue that retention should be limited to one player and that franchises should get more Match (RTM) options instead.
The Right to Match (RTM) formula would allow franchises to re-sign their current players at a price set during the live auction. However, some teams could artificially inflate a player’s bidding price, so interested teams have to pay more. However, this risks forcing the original team to purchase the player at an inflated cost if they match the highest bid. While eight player retentions have been discussed, some argue there should be only one retention and seven RTM options. The BCCI has its own perspectives on the best path forward, though it has not declared its official position yet.
The BCCI postponed the meeting between IPL officials and franchise promoters, initially scheduled alongside the Gujarat Titans vs Delhi Capitals match in Ahmedabad. This meeting was delayed because the Kolkata Knight Riders-Rajasthan Royals game at Eden Gardens was moved up to April 16 due to Rama Navami festivities. The Kolkata police had expressed security concerns, forcing the date change.