Explained: What is RTM Card; Why is it important in IPL 2025 Mega Auction

IPL 2025: There are still 7-8 months until the start of the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025), but all ten franchises and the BCCI are busy in preparations at full swing. There is a mega auction placed ahead of the coming edition in 2025, which will force all ten teams to release most of their key performers.

Every team can only retain a total of 4 players. That's where we will see some big superstars come at the auction. All franchises and the BCCI had a meeting on July 31 to discuss the auction, details, and RTM for the coming season.

But what is an RTM card, and how is it used in an IPL auction? This rule is very important for an IPL team to get back their key players. So, let's discuss the RTM card and its use.

What is an RTM card and how is it used in an IPL auction?

During a mega auction, an IPL team owner needs to take care of many things. They can buy the players with the highest bid, but a RTM card is something which should be used wisely. The Right to Match (RTM) card can help a team sign whom they have released.

This rule is open only during the mega auction, just like the coming IPL 2025 auction. Because ahead of a mega auction, all teams have to release most of their key players, so the RTM card gives them an option to sign the unretained players during the mega auction.

In simple words, an RTM card is an option where a franchise can buy their released player by matching the value that they were sold during the auction. But there is a limitation to it. Generally, ahead of the mega auction, every team gets a chance to retain five players.

Let's suppose a team retains three players, then they will have two Right to Match card options during the auction. If a franchise retains two, then they can use three Right to Match cards to fill the quota of five retentions. It will be used during the auction when the player's bid is going on by matching the highest amount that the player got.

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