What is RTM card and how can it be used in IPL 2025 auction? Details inside

In the changing world of Indian Premier League (IPL)the ‘Right to Match’ (RTM) card has become an important tool for franchises during player sales. It was presented by IPL Governing Council prior to the 2018 season, the RTM card allows teams to retain a player who was previously part of their team but was released from the auction block.

RTM option to be used in IPL 2025 auction

According to the new player retention rules released by the IPL Governing Council on Saturday, team owners can retain 6 players from their existing squad. This can be through storage or by using an RTM card locally IPL 2025 auction. It means that IPL franchises can choose the maximum six retentions, including the RTM option.

What is an RTM card?

The RTM card is essentially a mechanism that gives franchises the right to “match” the highest bid made by another team for one of their former players, thus keeping that player on their team. The rule was designed to give teams a safety net to keep their core players, while holding on to auction power and salary caps.

For example, if Rinku Singh It was auctioned and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made the highest bid of INR 7 crores, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rinku’s current franchise, will have the first right to match that bid. If KKR use their RTM, CSK will be given another chance to increase their bid. If CSK increases it to INR 8 crores, KKR can also match the bid and keep Rinku for INR 8 crores.

Also READ: IPL Auction 2025 – Player retention and RTM rules, match bonus, fund details and much more

How RTM card works in IPL auction?

Here’s how the RTM card works during the IPL auction:

• Auction begins: The player is put up for bid, and the franchises begin placing their bids.
• Last bid: Once the player’s final bid is reached, the dealer asks if the player’s former franchise would like to use their RTM card.
• RTM Usage: If the team decides to use the RTM card, they keep the player at the final bid price. The first bidding team does not get the player despite winning the auction.
• Strategic Decision: The decision to use the RTM card must be made quickly during the auction and can affect the overall budget of the team, as they must be in line with the salary scale.

RTM card restrictions

• Eligibility: The RTM card can only be used for players who were part of the franchise’s previous team.
• Budget Constraints: Even if a team wants to use an RTM card, they must have enough budget left over to match the highest bid made for the player.

RTM on previous IPL auctions

The RTM card has changed in previous auctions. For example, during the 2018 IPL auction, teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) used their RTM card to retain all-star Andre Russell, while Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) retained their mystery spinner u -Rashid Khan using RTM option.

Also READ: 3 reasons why KL Rahul should return to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ahead of IPL 2025