Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has launched a scathing critique of the Right to Match (RTM) rule, voicing concerns about its potential reinstatement ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is currently considering bringing back the RTM rule as they prepare for the upcoming auction, a move that has sparked debates among players and franchise owners. The BCCI recently engaged in a “constructive dialogue” with the owners of the ten IPL franchises, addressing a range of issues, including the possibility of holding mega auctions every five years instead of the current three-year cycle, the reintroduction of the RTM card, the availability of overseas players, and a cap on player retention.
Ashwin, in a statement on his YouTube channel, vehemently condemned the RTM rule, calling it “unfair” to players. He argued that the rule creates an imbalance, favoring the original team at the expense of other bidding franchises and the player’s true market value. “There is no rule more unfair for a player than RTM,” Ashwin declared. “The problem with RTM is that it does not give fair value to the player. For example, if a player’s value has gone up during the auction due to competitive bidding, the original team can simply match the highest bid without contributing to the increase. This leaves the player without the opportunity to achieve their true market worth.”
The RTM rule allows teams to retain a player who represented them in the previous season by matching the highest bid placed by another franchise. This rule was previously in place, facilitating the retention of valuable players. However, it was removed in the 2021 mega auction to provide new franchises like Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants with a broader pool of players.
Ashwin emphasized that while the original team might be satisfied with the outcome, other franchises and the player himself may feel shortchanged by the process. He argued that this situation undermines the integrity of the auction and prevents players from receiving their deserved compensation. “This leaves the player without the opportunity to achieve their true market worth,” he reiterated, highlighting the disproportionate benefit the rule provides to the original team. The ongoing discussions between the BCCI and franchise owners will ultimately determine the fate of the RTM rule, a decision that will significantly impact the dynamics of the upcoming IPL auction.
