How many RTM cards are available in IPL 2025 mega auction?

Many changes grabbed the spotlight when IPL retention rules were announced, from the impact player to how many players they can retain. However, the most important thing that people were eyeing was whether the RTM was coming back or not, and yes, the confirmation is that the RTM card will be available in IPL 2025. In the past, the Right to Match card has been under scrutiny for many reasons. The main issue that came was that it limits players at the auction table, as it restricts them before they receive their true value. Despite all of this, the confirmation is that this rule is going to stay.

If we look back at history, the RTM was introduced at the mega auction ahead of IPL 2014 and was also used at the mega auction before IPL season 11 but was discarded before the 2022 season. Now, after a long break, the RTM card is coming back, but there are several changes that are important to mention since the mega auction is coming very soon. Chances are that this RTM will be in the news, so here are the details of all the marquee changes that came with this modified RTM rule.

What is RTM in IPL

The big change that came in the RTM rule is that, in previous times when it was used, it was quite simple, franchises that wanted to get back the players they had previously released could easily do so via RTM by matching the highest bid made for the player by another franchise. However, there is now a change in this rule. Franchises that place the highest bid will be given one extra opportunity to raise their bid before the franchise holding the RTM card claims the player. As mentioned earlier, this rule came under scrutiny primarily for the reason that it limits the true value of players. To counter this issue, this subtle change looks important.

For franchises, the good news is that there is no restriction on RTM cards, unlike in the past when only 3 RTMs were allowed. Now, they can retain anywhere from 0 to 6 players, as a maximum of six players can be retained. It all depends on how many players they want to retain directly and how many they want to put under the hammer and then get back via RTM cards. For instance, if a team retains a total of 3 players—2 capped and 1 uncapped—they will have three RTMs left.

How RTM will work in IPL 2025 auction

Let’s suppose RCB releases Virat Kohli ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. He goes under the hammer and receives the highest bid of Rs 20 crores. The RCB franchise will then be asked first if they wish to exercise their RTM. If they choose to do so, the franchise that placed the highest bid will be given one more chance to increase and place a final bid. If they raise it to Rs 23 crores, then RCB can use their RTM and get Virat Kohli for Rs 23 crore.