IPL franchises wish for mega-auction every 5 years; demand an increase in retentions as well - Reports
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to witness yet another mega auction ahead of the 2025 edition, keeping in line with the three-year cycle. However, the incumbent modern has not been received well by the majority of the franchises, who believe that recurring major shake-ups does not bode well for the players they have honed, among other factors.
Although a mega-auction has been planned, there is still no clarity regarding the number of retentions or the potential re-introduction of the Right to Match (RTM) option.
According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, some franchises have a wishlist that is expected to be conveyed to the IPL officials in the coming weeks. A senior official associated with a franchise expressed his desire for the mega auction to be conducted once every five years instead of three. The longer cool-off period will give teams more time to establish a core.
The same official suggested solving an issue regarding a player's pay scale as well with the five-year cycle in the form of negotiations apart from the auction. There are a plethora of players who are being paid well below their potential just because of the fact that they were roped in at a lower sum when they were not in the limelight.
In recent times, such players have jumped at the opportunity of joining the player pool as they are guaranteed of a bigger contract through the auctions. If franchises have the power to negotiate a contract midway through the cycle, then they will have the power to persuade the player to stay.
Eight RTM options and no retention approach has received mixed response from IPL franchises
One of the most popular and perhaps radical suggestions that has been put forward in the off-season, is relying entirely on the Right to Match options and scraping away the retention concept altogether. The same report, however, states that the idea has its admirers as well as its criticises.
Some franchises love the idea of an open level-playing field where a player gets his true market value. On the other hand, some teams are hesitant about the prospect that they have to put some of their biggest names in the auction pool.
It will certainly make the auction a financial bloodbath where teams might drive up prices to disrupt the opposition's plans. Auctions are anyway an uncertain endeavor, and going into empty handed with no retentions to bank on, just inflares it.