New Delhi: Some of the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) biggest names are reportedly seeking retention deals worth ₹40 crore ahead of the next mega auction, signalling a possible shift in the financial expectations of elite players. The reported demands could create fresh challenges for franchises as they prepare to build their squads for the 2028 season.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, at least two top-tier players have communicated to their respective franchises that they would be willing to continue with their teams only if they receive a retention fee of ₹40 crore. More players could consider similar demands, particularly those who believe they could earn substantially higher amounts by entering the auction instead of accepting a retention offer.
The development comes as franchises prepare for the IPL 2027 mini-auction, scheduled to take place in December 2026. The next mega auction, expected ahead of the 2028 season, is likely to involve a significant revision in franchise budgets.
Although the reported ₹40 crore demands are not confirmed contracts, they indicate how the auction market and the growing commercial value of the IPL could influence negotiations between players and teams.
At least two players reportedly demand ₹40 crore
The reported retention demands involve some of the league’s top players, although their identities have not been disclosed.
Cricbuzz reported that at least a couple of high-profile players have conveyed their financial expectations to their respective franchises. They are reportedly prepared to remain with their current teams only if the franchises agree to pay ₹40 crore.
In at least one case, the demand is also understood to be connected to the captaincy role. This suggests that negotiations may involve more than just salary, with leadership responsibilities and a player’s position within the franchise potentially influencing the final agreement.
The report also indicates that additional players could seek similar arrangements if they believe they can attract bigger bids at the next mega auction.
Franchises may therefore face difficult decisions when negotiating with their most valuable players. Retaining an established star can provide continuity, but agreeing to a substantial fee could reduce the money available for other squad requirements.
No official list of players making these demands has been released, and the reported figures should be treated as negotiations rather than confirmed salaries.
Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer set the auction precedent
The reported ₹40 crore demands follow the high-value contracts secured by Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer at the 2025 IPL mega auction.
Both players chose the auction route instead of remaining with their previous franchises through retention. Their decisions proved financially rewarding.
Pant was acquired by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹27 crore, making him the most expensive player in IPL auction history at that time. Shreyas Iyer was bought by Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore.
These deals demonstrated that established Indian players could command amounts substantially higher than the retention slabs prescribed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The previous auction also saw overseas players receive high-value contracts. Heinrich Klaasen commanded ₹23 crore, while Nicholas Pooran secured a deal worth ₹21 crore.
These figures have likely influenced the expectations of other marquee players. A star cricketer who believes several franchises will compete for his services may consider entering the auction more financially attractive than accepting a fixed retention amount.
For franchises, however, allowing a key player to enter the auction carries risks. They may have to compete with other teams and could end up paying an even higher price to bring the player back.
How much of a franchise’s purse would ₹40 crore consume?
The financial implications of a ₹40 crore retention deal will depend on the total purse available to each franchise.
For the 2025 mega auction, every franchise had a total purse of ₹120 crore. The purse subsequently increased to ₹130 crore for the 2027 season.
For the 2028 mega auction, the total purse is expected to rise to around ₹150 crore, although this figure has not yet been formally confirmed.
If the purse reaches ₹150 crore, a single ₹40 crore contract would account for approximately 26.7 per cent of a franchise’s total budget.
Illustrative impact of a ₹40 crore retention
| Expected franchise purse | Amount committed | Share of purse |
|---|---|---|
| ₹120 crore | ₹40 crore | 33.3% |
| ₹130 crore | ₹40 crore | 30.8% |
| ₹150 crore | ₹40 crore | 26.7% |
This means a franchise paying ₹40 crore to one player could have only ₹110 crore remaining from an expected ₹150 crore purse to assemble the rest of its squad.
The challenge becomes greater for teams that want to retain several marquee players. If two players receive ₹40 crore each, the franchise would commit ₹80 crore, leaving approximately ₹70 crore from a ₹150 crore purse.
Teams would have to balance the value of retaining established performers against the need to recruit quality players across different positions.
IPL purse has increased significantly since 2008
The overall auction purse has grown considerably since the IPL began in 2008.
In the inaugural season, each franchise had a total purse of ₹20 crore. This amount increased to ₹60 crore in 2014, ₹80 crore in 2018 and ₹90 crore in 2022.
The purse reached ₹120 crore for the 2025 mega auction and was subsequently raised to ₹130 crore for the 2027 season.
The expected increase to around ₹150 crore for the 2028 mega auction would continue this upward trend.
The purse has traditionally been influenced by the commercial value of the league, including its media rights. The next media rights cycle is expected to play an important role in determining the financial structure of the competition.
However, the proposed ₹150 crore figure remains an expectation rather than a confirmed BCCI decision. The final amount will depend on the board’s announcements and the financial framework established for the next auction.
Previous retention rules and salary slabs
The BCCI’s retention structure will also influence whether franchises can accommodate the reported ₹40 crore demands.
Ahead of the 2025 mega auction, the board prescribed retention slabs of ₹18 crore, ₹14 crore and ₹11 crore for the first three retained players under the applicable structure.
However, franchises were permitted to pay players amounts higher than the prescribed slabs, provided the actual payments were declared.
This allowed players such as Klaasen and Pooran to receive contracts worth more than the highest prescribed retention amount.
Under the previous rules, a franchise retaining five players faced a minimum purse deduction of ₹75 crore. If the combined actual amount payable to the retained players exceeded ₹75 crore, the higher amount was deducted.
The arrangement meant that franchises had to consider both the actual salaries and the prescribed purse deductions when planning their squads.
The BCCI has not yet announced the retention slabs or purse-deduction rules for the 2028 mega auction. Consequently, it remains uncertain how the reported ₹40 crore demands would be accommodated within the next auction framework.
Franchises face a difficult retention decision
A mega auction is different from a mini-auction because franchises have an opportunity to rebuild significant portions of their squads. Retention decisions therefore become particularly important.
Teams want to preserve their strongest players, maintain leadership continuity and avoid losing established combinations. At the same time, they need enough money to recruit new talent and address weaknesses in their squads.
A ₹40 crore demand could force franchises to reconsider their priorities. Some teams may be willing to make a major financial commitment to retain a match-winning player, while others may prefer to release the player and compete for his services at the auction.
The final decision will depend on several factors, including the player’s recent performances, leadership value, availability, age, market demand and the franchise’s overall squad composition.
The reported demands also underline the growing financial influence of players in the IPL. With auction prices rising and franchises competing aggressively for elite talent, negotiations over retention fees could become increasingly complicated.
For now, the ₹40 crore figure remains a reported demand rather than an approved salary. The BCCI’s final auction rules, the size of the franchise purse and the decisions taken by individual teams will determine whether such contracts become a reality in the next mega auction.