RCB star scored a century in 68 balls in Ranji Trophy, sent a strong retention message to the franchise

Rajat Patidar led Madhya Pradesh's fightback against Haryana on the fourth day of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 match in Indore. Patidar helped MP recover by scoring an unbeaten century after Haryana took a 132-run lead in the first innings. With the Indian Premier League (IPL) retention deadline approaching on October 31, Patidar reached triple figures in just 68 balls to send a loud and clear message to his franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who have so far retained the Indian Premier League (IPL). Has not finalized its list of players. ,

With all 10 teams allowed to retain a maximum of six players, RCB has finalized the retention of only star batsman and former captain Virat Kohli. Actually, the future of RCB captain Faf du Plessis also remains a mystery.

Teams have time till October 31 to decide whether to retain their players before the IPL 2025 auction. According to the rules announced by the Governing Council on Saturday, franchises can retain a maximum of six players using a combination of direct retention and right-to-match (RTM) option.

As per ESPNcricinfo report, it includes a maximum of five capped players (both Indian and overseas) and no more than two uncapped Indian players. For retention purposes, any player who makes his international debut before 31 October will be classified as capped.

However, if such a player is retained as an uncapped player and then makes his international debut before the auction, he will still be considered uncapped, only Rs 4 crore will be deducted from the team's auction purse.

The purse for the mega auction has been increased by Rs 20 crore, giving each franchise a budget of Rs 120 crore (approximately US$14.3 million).

Like the mega auction ahead of IPL 2022, the price to retain uncapped players has been set at Rs 4 crore. Additionally, the IPL has reinstated a rule scrapped in 2021, allowing Indian players who have retired from international cricket at least five years before the relevant season to enter the auction as uncapped players .

(With ANI inputs)