IPL 2023: How does the auction work?

The start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 saw the start of auctioning of players which changed the dynamic of the cricket landscape.

Auctions are being held in anticipation of the upcoming IPL season, which will decide the fate of Indian and foreign players participating in the tournament.

Administered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the process was created to add even more excitement to the short form of the game while also allowing various franchises to bid on the best players in the world to gain fame.

In the auction, which will be conducted over several days, players will be pooled and sold to the highest bidder in accordance with IPL rules and regulations.

Teams consist of a minimum of 18 players and a maximum of 25 players in their roster, with no more than eight overseas players.

How much money does each team get?

Each franchise in the IPL is given a budget of INR 80 Crore to put together the best team they see fit from around the world (Indian capped and uncapped players as well as overseas players).

Teams do not have to use their entire INR 80 crore, but the rules state that at least 75 percent (INR 60 crore) must be allocated to players.

Franchises can spend 30 to 40 percent of their budget on the top five players.

What are the different categories of players in the IPL auctions?

capped player

Are basically Indian players who have at least once represented the country’s senior national team in some format.

Unlimited Players

Are Indian native players who are in the top class circuit but have never represented India.

Non-Indian/Foreign/Overseas Players

These players may fall under a capped or uncapped cricket nation or an associated cricket nation from neighboring countries.

It doesn’t matter which players and category they fall under.

However, an IPL team can only hold a maximum eight foreign players, with only four once allowed on the field.

How many players are listed in the auction?

There is no limit to the number of players listed at an IPL auction, although the number varies in most years.

The number of players listed depends on who registers, provided players have been approved by their respective countries/boards.

In 2018, there were 578 players up for grabs Bleacher report.

The following year the number dropped to 346.

What are the retention policies in the IPL?

Each franchise may retain up to five players as part of the pre-auction retention process combined with the Right-to-Match (RTM) policy.

Teams can only keep up to three capped Indian players, up to two foreign and uncapped Indian players.

RTM is an option teams can use on players who match a bid during the auction to ensure the player is kept.