IPL Stars Reportedly Demand ₹40 Crore Retention Fee Ahead of IPL 2028 Mega Auction

Several top Indian Premier League (IPL) players have reportedly demanded a retention fee of ₹40 crore from their respective franchises ahead of the IPL 2028 mega auction. The reported demands could make it more difficult for teams to retain their marquee players as they prepare for the next major squad rebuild.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, at least a couple of high-profile players have communicated that they would consider staying with their current teams only if they receive the proposed amount. The players have not been identified publicly in the report, and the demands are not part of any confirmed IPL or BCCI retention policy.

IPL 2028 Mega Auction: Players Reportedly Seek ₹40 Crore

The reported ₹40 crore demand marks a significant increase from the highest player prices recorded at the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Some players are believed to feel that entering the auction could bring them a more lucrative contract than accepting a retention offer. The report also suggests that, in at least one case, the financial demand is linked to a captaincy condition.

The reported negotiations could put franchises in a difficult position. Teams must weigh the value of retaining their biggest stars against the need to build a balanced squad with the available budget.

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Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer Set the Auction Price Benchmark

The IPL 2025 mega auction demonstrated how much franchises may be willing to spend on marquee players.

Rishabh Pant was signed by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹27 crore, while Shreyas Iyer joined Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore. Both players entered the auction after not being retained by their previous franchises.

Their auction prices exceeded the retention slabs prescribed by the BCCI for the 2025 mega auction. These deals are now being viewed as a reference point for players seeking higher salaries ahead of the next mega-auction cycle.

IPL 2028 Auction Purse Could Rise to ₹150 Crore

The expected increase in franchise purse is another factor behind the reported retention demands.

The purse for IPL 2027 has been set at ₹130 crore per franchise. For the IPL 2028 mega auction, reports suggest that it could rise to approximately ₹150 crore, although the figure has not yet been formally confirmed.

If a franchise were to pay ₹40 crore to retain one player, that would account for more than a quarter of a projected ₹150 crore purse.

Detail	Amount / Status
IPL 2027 franchise purse	₹130 crore
Expected IPL 2028 mega-auction purse	Around ₹150 crore, not confirmed
Reported retention demand	₹40 crore
Rishabh Pant’s IPL 2025 auction price	₹27 crore
Shreyas Iyer’s IPL 2025 auction price	₹26.75 crore

The actual financial impact will depend on the purse limit and retention rules that the BCCI announces for the IPL 2028 mega auction.

Why ₹40 Crore Retention Demands Could Create Problems for Franchises

A ₹40 crore retention fee could significantly affect a team’s auction strategy.

Franchises that want to retain multiple star players may find it difficult to allocate a large share of their purse to a small number of contracts. They would also need enough funds to recruit players for the remaining positions and maintain squad depth.

The situation could become more complicated if a player’s demand includes captaincy or other leadership expectations. Teams may have to consider not only a player’s performance and market value, but also their role in the franchise’s long-term plans.

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IPL 2028 Retention Rules: What Is Confirmed?

The reported ₹40 crore demands should not be confused with official retention regulations.

The BCCI has not yet announced the retention slabs or purse deductions for the IPL 2028 mega auction. The rules used for the previous mega auction included prescribed retention slabs, but franchises were permitted to declare higher actual amounts under the applicable system.

The final decision on retention limits, player deductions and franchise purse will depend on the official regulations released for the 2028 auction.

Conclusion

The reported ₹40 crore retention demands from some IPL stars could become a major talking point ahead of the IPL 2028 mega auction. With players increasingly aware of their auction value, franchises may face tougher negotiations to retain their marquee names.

However, the players involved have not been named, and the expected ₹150 crore purse and future retention rules remain unconfirmed. The next official announcements from the BCCI will determine how these reported demands fit into the IPL 2028 auction framework.