In the IPL mini-auction, teams cannot use an RTM (Right to Match) card to buy back a player they released.
The RTM card option was introduced at the mega auction ahead of IPL 2014. It was then retained for the next mega auction ahead of IPL 2018 but discarded before the 2022 season. A maximum of three RTM cards were allowed at mega auctions previously.
How does RTM work
A player enters the auction pool.
Franchises bid as usual.
Once bidding ends and the highest bid is confirmed, the auctioneer turns to the player’s former franchise.
That franchise is asked whether it wants to exercise its RTM card.
If they say yes, they match the highest bid and reclaim the player at that price.
Crucially, RTM does not cap the price or give a discount. The market still dictates the value.
The counter-bid rule
Last year, the IPL introduced a twist:
After a team uses RTM, the franchise that made the highest bid is allowed to raise the bid once more.
The original team can then choose whether to match again.
Published on Dec 13, 2025
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