Cricket Franchise Player Auctions Explained
How do IPL, BBL, and other T20 franchise cricket auctions work, what determines a player's price, and which cricketers command the highest auction bids?
Player auctions are the mechanism through which franchise cricket teams acquire players in sealed-team leagues like the IPL, BBL (Big Bash League), and PSL (Pakistan Super League). Teams bid against each other for players listed in an auction pool; the highest bidder wins the player's services for the season or a set number of years. Auction dynamics create a market for cricket talent that has dramatically increased player earnings and the global profile of T20 cricket.
How the IPL Auction Works
The IPL auction involves players registered by their national boards. Each player has a 'base price' — the minimum starting bid. Franchises then bid in increments; if multiple teams want a player, the bidding escalates until only one team remains. The auction is conducted in a room where franchise representatives (coaches, owners, analysts) hold electronic paddles to signal bids. The auctioneer drives the process; excitement builds when multiple teams compete for a high-profile player.
What Determines a Player's Auction Price
- T20 record: recent T20 performance is the primary driver. A player with a strike rate of 160+ and 500+ T20 runs in the last season commands a premium.
- All-round ability: players who can both bat and bowl are worth more than specialists — they fill two roles with one squad spot.
- Nationality and ICC player caps: some leagues restrict overseas player slots; uncapped domestic players can be cheaper than international stars.
- Age and injury record: younger players with injury-free records attract higher long-term bids.
- Franchise history and loyalty: retained players and right-to-match scenarios can affect which players are available for open auction.
Record IPL Auction Sales
The IPL auction regularly produces eye-catching bids. At the 2024 IPL auction, Mitchell Starc (Australia) was sold to Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹24.75 crore (approximately $3 million) — the highest single-season price in IPL history at the time. Pat Cummins, Sam Curran, and Nicholas Pooran have all set records at various auction cycles. The highest-ever retained fee (outside the auction) is effectively for franchise stars like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, whose retention values were in the ₹16–17 crore range.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'right to match' in the IPL auction?
A Right to Match (RTM) card is a mechanism that allows a franchise to reclaim a player they released before an auction, by matching the highest bid submitted by another franchise. RTM cards are used after the initial rounds of the auction, when franchises know which released players were sold and at what price. They allow teams to retain key players without using a fixed retention slot, though the opposing team's bid determines the price they must pay.
Do all T20 leagues use auctions?
No. The IPL, PSL, and a few other leagues use open auctions. The Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia and The Hundred in England use a draft or contract negotiation system rather than a public auction — players are distributed across teams through a more controlled allocation process. The South African SA20 uses a combination of draft picks and auction; the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) uses a combination of draft and direct signing.