QUICK ANSWER
In a franchise league auction, each team has a fixed budget (purse) to buy players. Teams can retain some players before the auction, which uses part of the purse. Players set base prices, teams bid against each other, and the highest bid wins. Some leagues let teams use a right-to-match card to keep a former player by matching the winning bid.
Auction day is one of the most searched events in franchise cricket, with record bids and surprise picks trending within minutes. Here’s how the process works, using the format made popular by leagues like the IPL. Exact rules vary by league and season.
The key terms
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Purse | The total budget a team can spend on its squad |
| Retention | Keeping players from the previous squad before the auction; their fees come out of the purse |
| Base price | The minimum price a player enters the auction at |
| Right to Match (RTM) | Lets a team match the winning bid for a player who was in its previous squad |
| Squad limits | Minimum and maximum squad sizes and caps on overseas players |
| Unsold | A player who gets no bids; some return in later accelerated rounds |
How bidding works
- An auctioneer presents players in sets, often grouped by role and experience.
- Teams raise their paddles to bid in fixed increments.
- The highest bid when the hammer falls wins, as long as the team has enough purse and squad space.
- Teams must balance stars against filling every squad slot.
Strategy behind the bids
Teams plan around their home ground, missing roles and the number of overseas slots. A bidding war can push a player’s price far above expectations, while smart teams pick up value players late when rivals’ purses run low.
Frequently asked questions
Why do some stars go unsold?
Teams may already have players in that role, lack overseas slots or have too little purse left.
Where does the auction money go?
It’s the player’s salary for the contract period, paid by the franchise.
Is every league’s auction the same?
No. Some leagues use a draft instead of an auction, and purse sizes and retention rules differ.
Sources
- IPL official site: auction rules and results