Will Virat Kohli become the first choice for IPL retention?
IPL Retention List: The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to introduce a change in its retention rules that will impact how teams will treat their marquee players. BCCI has altered the retention fee structure, the money franchises pay to hold on to players before the mega auction. What does this mean and how will it affect the 2025 IPL?
How the New Retention Rules Work
Under the new guidelines, the price that franchises must pay to retain players has been adjusted:
- First-choice retention: Rs 18 crore
- Second-choice retention: Rs 14 crore
- Third-choice retention: Rs 11 crore
- Fourth-choice retention: Rs 18 crore
- Fifth-choice retention: Rs 14 crore
This implies that a team will have to pay Rs 18 crore if they wish to retain their best player before the auction. In a similar vein, the next two players to be retained would receive Rs. 14 crore and Rs. 11 crore, respectively. The fourth-choice retention is now priced at Rs 18 crore, a significant increase over previous seasons, which is one of the main changes in this case.
RCB retained players 2025
This move will particularly delight Virat Kohli, who has been associated with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for more than a decade and is, in fact, an icon player of the team. He was contracted with RCB for all prior 13 IPL seasons and we believe he will return as their captain; hence he should be RCB’s first preference for retention.
In 2025, Kohli will earn Rs 3 crore more than earlier seasons of the IPL as the salary for first-choice retention has gone up from Rs 15 crore to Rs 18 crore. Such an increase reflects his value to RCB and also the fact that his commercial stakes haven’t significantly diminished.
Kohli’s Legacy at RCB: More Than Just a Player
There is more to Kohli and RCB than just his on-field exploits. He led the group as captain for ten years before resigning in 2021, yet he stayed an integral member of the team. He is indispensable to the team because of his commitment and loyalty.
Off the field, RCB benefits greatly from Kohli’s widespread popularity and influence in terms of marketing. Should he choose to go to the IPL auction rather than be retained, his market worth is probably going to be higher than Rs 20 crore. To make sure that he stays out of the auction pool, where other teams might bid for his services, RCB is practically guaranteed to keep Kohli on their squad.
What About RCB’s Other Retention Options?
Although keeping Kohli seems obvious, RCB will need to carefully consider their other options. The Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is another important member of their team. Green joined RCB as part of a trade move that came with a hefty price tag—Rs 17.50 crore for the franchise. As a second-choice player, his compensation will reduce to Rs 14 crore if RCB chooses to keep him in accordance with the new regulations.
Green is an important player for the RCB because of his flexibility as a strong bowler and batsman. His potential for retention may increase as a result, but RCB must choose whether to hold onto him or send him to auction, where his worth may change based on interest from other teams.
The Faf du Plessis Dilemma
Faf du Plessis, the RCB’s current captain, will be the subject of one of the most difficult decisions. Du Plessis has been a consistent player for the squad since arriving in 2022, amassing 1636 runs in 45 games. RCB showed promise while under his direction and made it to the playoffs twice, but they were unable to get to the championships.
The organization now confronts a challenging choice: Should they retain du Plessis as both a player and a captain, or explore other possibilities in the upcoming auction? He might be ranked as their third or fourth choice player, meaning he will make between Rs 11 crore and Rs 18 crore if they decide to keep him.
Why Retention Choices Matter So Much
It takes strategy, not money, to decide which players to keep and which to release to the auction. A team’s core is frequently made up of retained players who provide stability and experience. However, each franchise has a set budget, and overspending on a select group of players can restrict the franchise’s capacity to purchase additional players at the auction.
Teams now have to strike a balance between conserving enough cash to compete for rising talent and holding onto their core players in light of the new retention regulations. While keeping Kohli might seem obvious for RCB, every other retention choice must be carefully considered in order to maintain a well-rounded team.
What This Means for the 2025 IPL Season
Retention rule modifications by the BCCI have already generated a lot of discussion among observers and supporters. The new system may change how teams build their squads by charging more for elite retentions, which would make the 2025 season more fascinating. Supporters can’t wait to see how teams like RCB will modify their plans in light of the new regulations.
Players such as Virat Kohli, who have shown dedication and consistent success over the years, now have the opportunity to earn even more thanks to these adjustments. Other players, like as Cameron Green and Faf du Plessis, will have to wait and see how the new system affects their futures.