Henrich Klaasen has reportedly been retained by SRH for Rs 23 crore.© BCCI/IPL
A new dynamic of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions has been revealed. According to reports in ESPN, Cricinfo and Cricbuzz suggest that Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will retain South African wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen for Rs 23 crore. That amount would be Rs 5 cr more than the Rs 18 cr slab fixed by the IPL Governing Council for the first retention slot. The breakdown of the amount suggests that a franchise can retain players for more or less than the designated bracket, as long as the total amount of that number of players is equal or within the designated Rs 75 crore retained purse.
While the IPL rules reportedly state that the first retention should be Rs 18 crore, the second Rs 14 crore, the third Rs 11 crore, the fourth Rs 18 crore, the fifth Rs 14 crore and the uncapped Rs 4 crore, is a franchise free to distribute the money among the players in any way. .
For example, a franchise can choose to pay more than Rs 18 cr for their first retention and less than Rs 11 cr for their third retention, as long as their total budget adds up to Rs 43 crore (18 + 14 + 11), the designated amount for three deductions.
Even if a franchise retains its five players for less than the designated amount of Rs 75 crore (out of a total amount of Rs 120 crore) for that number of retentions, the designated amount will be reduced.
“Retention deduction of the total amount in lieu of the fee per player, in this case of 75 Crs, whatever amount is paid to 5 players. If the total amount is more than 75 Crs, the actual amount will be deducted. If amount is less than 75 Crs Crs and then 75 Crs will be deducted,” Cricbuzz quoted the retention rule
The ability to split the retention fee among players in any way they choose gives franchises a huge boost in negotiating higher or lower fees for players they would like to retain, without disrupting the total amount allocated.
For example, Kolkata Knight Riders can opt to retain their uncapped stars Andre Russell and Sunil Narine for less than the designated plate, and pay more than Rs 4 cr to Harshit Rana, who qualifies as an uncapped player.
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