Unlike regular auctions, the mega auction which takes place every four years is spread over two days instead of just one and is one of the most followed events in cricket as all ten franchises in the IPL build their teams for the next three years (2025). -27).
Each team has a total purse of INR 120 crore to build their teams, but after retention, the Punjab Kings have the largest remaining purse (INR 110.5 crore) to spend in the mega auction, having retained only to two limitless players: Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran. Singh: For a total of INR 9.5 crores. Rajasthan Royals have the smallest purse of INR 41 crore after they, along with Kolkata Knight Riders, retained the maximum six players. KKR will have INR 51 crore to spend on the auction.
This time, the IPL has allowed teams to retain up to six players, of which a maximum of five can be limited and a maximum of two can be uncapped. The six players can be held directly before the auction, or can be bought back using Right-to-Match (RTM) options at the auction, or a combination of both.
If a player has been bought by another franchise in the mega auction, the franchise he was a part of in IPL 2024 can intervene at the end of the bidding process and buy back their player using the RTM option by matching the highest bid. After that, the franchise that made the winning bid will have another opportunity to increase the bid to whatever amount they want. In that case, the player’s former team will have to match the increased bid to buy back their player.
Having retained only two players, PBKS has the most RTM options (four) in the auction. RCB, who retained three players, have three, while Delhi Capitals, who retained four players, have two. Five teams (MI, Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans, SRH and LSG) have retained five players each and have only one RTM option in the auction, while RR and KKR have no RTM options.
Of course, there is no limit to the number of players a franchise can buy back if they place the highest bids for them during regular bidding at the auction.