In IPL 2025, RTM cards available with RCB is 3 and LSG has 1. Let’s further dive deep into RTM card usage, information and players on whom likely RCB and LSG can use their cards.
What is the Right-to-Match (RTM) rule?
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Before the IPL 2025 auction, each team was allowed to retain a maximum of six players, which could include a maximum of five capped players and a maximum of two uncapped Indian players. The eight teams that did not retain all their six players can now use the Right-to-Match option to fill the remaining slots from their 2024 squads. The limit of five capped and two uncapped players will still apply, so teams that have retained five capped players can only exercise the RTM option on one uncapped player.
If a team has retained two uncapped players, they can use the RTM option on only one capped player. If a team uses the RTM option on their former player in the auction, the last bidder will be allowed to raise the bid one last time and the team using the RTM option can then decide whether they want to match that bid and add that player to their team.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
Players retained: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal
Remaining purse: Rs 83 crore
Right to Match option: 3 (can be all capped or one uncapped)
RCB has retained only three players, the least among the ten teams. They can use their three RTM options on all capped players. Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis, Mohammed Siraj, and Will Jacks could be their potential targets, while Cameron Green will not be in the auction due to a back injury.
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Maxwell had recently revealed that the RCB team management had a heated conversation with him after he was released. Last season’s captain Du Plessis has led RCB to the playoffs twice in the last three years. He recently led St Lucia Kings to their first title in CPL 2024.
Siraj has been an integral part of the team since 2018 and not including him in the retention list was a surprising decision. Will RCB try to bring him back with the RTM option?
RCB can place a big bid on KL Rahul in the auction and this decision will also depend on the use of the RTM option. If they buy Rahul at the right price, they can spend a part of their RTM options on uncapped players Vijaykumar Vaishakh, Anuj Rawat or Mahipal Lomror.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Players retained: Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni
Remaining purse: Rs 69 crore
Right to match option: 1 (capped)
LSG has retained five players, including two uncapped players. They have one RTM option and can use it on any one of Marcus Stoinis, Quinton de Kock, Krunal Pandya, and Naveen Ul Haq.
Stoinis, the franchise’s only centurion last season and their second-highest run-scorer overall, will be a priority for LSG.
Stoinis scored the only century for LSG last season and was the team’s second-highest run-scorer overall. He will be a priority for LSG. While Quinton de Kock’s performance in IPL 2024 was quite disappointing, he can also be an RTM option given his excellent form in CPL 2024.
Krunal Pandya captained a few matches in 2023 in the absence of regular captain KL Rahul and he can also be an option. However, his recent form has not been that impressive.
If LSG’s RTM option remains, they can use it when there is a bid for Naveen Ul Haq. Naveen took 14 wickets in ten matches in IPL 2024 and played an important role as a death-over specialist.
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