Last Updated on 4 months by Charbel Coorey

Right To Match (RTM) is a card that can be played during the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. This card gives any franchise the opportunity to match the final bid for a player who was in their squad in the previous season of the competition.

For example, if Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) release Cameron Green and Mumbai Indians (MI) purchase him for INR 10cr, RCB have the opportunity to match this bid and have Green’s services for IPL 2025.

According to reports, the BCCI may implement RTM cards for each franchise to use during the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. There was no RTM during the previous mega auction which was held for the 2022 season.

What is the difference between RTM and a retention in the IPL?

A retention is a player whom an IPL franchise decides to keep for the upcoming season. RTM, as explained above, works for a player who was released by said franchise.

According to CricBuzz, the BCCI is likely to cap retentions at five or six players for the upcoming auction, up from the four players from previous mega auctions. The reason for this is to strike a balance between franchises keeping a core group of players, but ensuring the auction process is as exciting as possible.

The BCCI will meet with IPL franchise owners on July 31 to decide on the exact number of player retentions per team. Also, CricBuzz reports that the RTM is a contentious issue, with the franchises and BCCI representatives to also discuss this during the meeting.

Fans have taken to social media to share their view. The general consensus is that one or two RTM options, along with about five retentions, is an auction sweetspot.