Amid IPL 2025 retention confusion, franchises opt for ‘back-channel talks’ with players with auction

After the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council (GC) meeting last month, we saw a host of changes take place ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. The multitude of changes involved new IPL retention rules, salary cap of overseas players, return of RTM cards and much more. However, slightly shocking news that has been coming our way is the probable ‘back-channel talks’ between players and franchises even before the finalisation of retentions.

IPL 2025: Back-Channel Negotiations

As per Cricbuzz, some player managers have initiated informal discussions with interested franchises to gauge their interest and potential bidding strategies. These back-channel negotiations can provide valuable insights into the market demand for a particular player, allowing agents to set realistic expectations and make informed decisions. “Some player managers, it is learnt, have opened up back-channel discussions for their clients,” Cricbuzz wrote.

The RTM: Advantage or disadvantage?

RTM is an option for a franchise to acquire a player’s services or get that player back during the auction by matching the highest bid made for the player by another franchise. However, there is a massive change in RTM Card going forward. From the IPL 2025 auction, the highest bidder (at auction) will be given one final opportunity to increase their bid before the team holding the RTM can exercise their right.

It will significantly bolster the bargaining power of player agents, especially those representing foreign players. By leveraging the potential for a bidding war, agents can negotiate more favorable terms with franchises. Even if a new franchise doesn’t ultimately secure the player, the auction process can drive up the player’s value to the desired amount.

The Impact on Franchises

While the RTM rule might seem advantageous for players and their agents, it also presents challenges for franchises. The prospect of a bidding war can lead to inflated valuations, potentially straining team budgets. Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding the final outcome of the auction can make it difficult for franchises to plan their roster composition effectively. Apart from this, Cricbuzz has also reported that Austria’s capital Vienna has emerged as one of the options to host the IPL 2025 auction.