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Ravichandran Ashwin Voices Concerns Over Potential Return of Right to Match Rule for 2025 IPL Auction
New Delhi: Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his reservations about the possible reintroduction of the Right to Match (RTM) rule ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. The BCCI recently held a meeting with franchise owners to discuss key topics, including the potential reinstatement of the contentious RTM card.
Ashwin, who represents the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, has been a vocal critic of the RTM rule. The rule allows a franchise to retain a player by matching the highest bid during the auction, which Ashwin believes undermines the player’s true market value and restricts their freedom to choose the best environment for their career development.
“There is no rule more unfair for a player than RTM,” Ashwin said on his official YouTube channel. “The problem with RTM is that it is not fair value for the player. So, if you give three RTMs [to each team], the players will only go virtually empty-handed. Already, they do not get fair value in the auction.”
The RTM rule was previously employed to ensure teams could hold onto their valuable players. However, it was removed during the 2021 IPL mega auction to offer newer franchises like Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants a broader selection of players. As the BCCI considers its reintroduction, Ashwin’s concerns highlight the potential impact on player compensation and career choices.
The 100-ball cricket, backyard cricket, beach cricket, Chester-le-Street cricket, and club cricket enthusiasts will be closely following the BCCI’s decision on the RTM rule and its implications for the upcoming IPL seasons.
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