5-6 retentions a possibility at the IPL owners meeting

5-6 retentions a possibility, RTM to be debated at the IPL owners meeting

The meeting would consist of discussions over the number of retentions to be allowed to each team and the availability of RTM among other topics.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL franchise owners are set to meet on the 31st of July to discuss the terms of the IPL retentions ahead of the mega auction later this year. The congregation is expected to take place at the Cricket Centre, the BCCI headquarters, located within the Wankhede Stadium complex in Mumbai.

IPL CEO Hemang Amin sent text messages to all the franchise owners on Thursday morning informing them about the same and telling them that a formal invite with the venue and timing, would follow. The meeting is understood to be held on the 31st afternoon or late evening. All the owners reportedly have confirmed their availability for the same.

The meeting would consist of discussions over the number of retentions to be allowed to each team and the availability of RTM. It is likely that the number will be relatively low, while the inputs from the franchises vary from one to eight retentions. However, the BCCI is expected to settle on an average number, possibly five or six.

A higher number of retentions would take away all the excitement of the auction process. More retentions simply means that more number of the best players from across the world and India will be out of the auction. This very reason compels the BCCI not to allow too many retentions and make the auction an exciting spectacle for the viewers as well as the franchises.

On the other hand, the franchises often demand more retention based on the need for continuity within teams with players known to be integral to a team playing for the side.

The Right To Match (RTM) will be another hot topic when the concerned authorities come together next week. There were no RTMs in the 2021 mega auction. The argument in favour of the RTM option is that it allows players to be sold at the market value that they deserve. However, there are potential downsides to it as well. Some parties may intentionally inflate the prices in the auction, forcing franchises to use more of their budget to retain key players through RTM.

It is surely gonna be a tough task for the BCCI to balance the differing opinions of the franchises. They would need the consider all the viewpoints and reach a ground that would be acceptable to all the parties.