India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has raised concerns about the Right to Match (RTM) rule ahead of the IPL 2025 auction
New Delhi [India], August 28: Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his concerns regarding the Right to Match (RTM) rule, which is being considered for reimplementation in the upcoming mega auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Discussions about bringing back the RTM rule were held earlier this month during a closed-door meeting at the BCCI headquarters, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo.
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 during the auction. This rule was first introduced in 2014 but has not been used in IPL auctions since 2018.
Ashwin, however, is not in favor of the RTM rule in its current form. Speaking on Kris Srikkanth’s YouTube show *Cheeky Cheeka*, Ashwin questioned the fairness of the rule, stating, "If a franchise has released a player because they don't see him in their top four or five, then what gives them the right to jump in during an auction? You give the option to the player, asking if he wants to be right to match."
Ashwin suggested that there should be a contract binding both parties, allowing a player to be RTMed only if a pre-determined price is agreed upon, with that amount being decided by the player.
This isn't the first time Ashwin has voiced his discontent with the RTM rule. Earlier this month, on his YouTube channel, he called RTM "the most unfair rule" for players. He explained how the rule could be detrimental: "For instance, a player valued at around Rs five-six crores is up for auction. If Sunrisers Hyderabad, who initially released the player, want to buy him back, they might start bidding at the base price of Rs two crores. As the bidding intensifies, say between KKR and Mumbai Indians, the player's price could rise to six crores. With the RTM rule, Sunrisers can then swoop in and take the player for six crores, leaving the other teams dissatisfied. The only beneficiary here is the original franchise, while the bidding teams are left unhappy."
Ashwin's remarks highlight the ongoing debate about the fairness and implications of reinstating the RTM rule in the IPL auction process.