At least two top Indian players have reportedly told their franchises they want about ₹40 crore to be retained for the IPL 2028 cycle. In one case, the demand reportedly includes being made captain.
The report, first carried by Cricbuzz, has come out just days before the IPL 2027 retention deadline. The players have not been named.
Quick facts
| Demand | About ₹40 crore per player Reported |
| Who | At least two star Indian players, not named |
| Condition | Captaincy, in at least one case Reported |
| 2028 purse | About ₹150 crore per team Reported |
| 2028 retention rules | Not yet announced |
| IPL 2027 retention deadline | 17 Nov 2026 Confirmed |
17 Nov 2026 · count as of 8 Nov
Why ₹40 crore?
Before the 2025 mega auction, the BCCI set fixed retention prices of ₹18 crore, ₹14 crore and ₹11 crore for capped players. A team that kept five capped players lost at least ₹75 crore from its ₹120 crore purse.
The auction then showed that players could earn more by entering it. Rishabh Pant turned down a retention offer and was bought for a record ₹27 crore. Shreyas Iyer did the same and fetched ₹26.75 crore. Top players now expect a retention fee to match what they believe they could get at auction.
| Player / Slab | Amount | vs top slab (₹18 cr) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top retention slab (2025) | ₹18 crore | — | Confirmed |
| Shreyas Iyer, auction (2025) | ₹26.75 crore | +₹8.75 crore | Confirmed |
| Rishabh Pant, auction (2025) | ₹27 crore | +₹9 crore | Confirmed |
| Star retention demand (2028) | ~₹40 crore | +₹22 crore | Reported |
The purse maths
If the purse rises to about ₹150 crore, one ₹40 crore player would take up roughly 27% of a team’s budget. Two such players would take more than half, before the rest of a squad of up to 25 is filled.
| Scenario (₹150 cr purse) | Spent on stars | Left for squad | Share used |
|---|---|---|---|
| One ₹40 cr star | ₹40 crore | ₹110 crore | 27% |
| Two ₹40 cr stars | ₹80 crore | ₹70 crore | 53% |
Franchise income may not keep up with player wages. The average team is valued at about $1.7 billion, but its yearly revenue is far smaller, and around three-quarters of it comes from central media rights. Those rights are forecast to stay at about $5.4 billion for 2028–32.
Who feels it most?
Teams with several Indian stars face the hardest choices. Back-to-back champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2025 and 2026) are an example: reports say they may not be able to keep their whole title-winning core if retention prices keep rising.
What happens next
- Nov 2024
Pant (₹27 cr) and Iyer (₹26.75 cr) set new auction highs - Early Nov 2026
₹40 crore retention demands reported - 17 Nov 2026
IPL 2027 retention lists due, under the current rules - 16 Dec 2026
IPL 2027 mini-auction in Goa - Before IPL 2028
2028 retention rules and purse announced, then the mega auction
iSportsLeague take
The players are acting rationally. The auction has paid more than retention, so they are asking to be paid at auction prices. The fix lies with the BCCI. Clear retention slabs or a cap on a single player’s share of the purse would protect squad depth. Without them, the 2028 mega auction could turn into a few very expensive stars and thin squads around them.
FAQ
Which players have asked for ₹40 crore?
They haven’t been named. Reports say only that they are at least two top Indian players.
Does this affect the IPL 2027 retentions?
Not much. The 17 November lists fall under the current rules and lead into a mini-auction. The demands matter for the 2028 mega auction.
Is the ₹150 crore purse confirmed?
No. It has been reported but the BCCI has not announced it.
All IPL 2027 auction news, retentions and squads in one place.
Open the IPL 2027 hubLast updated 8 Nov 2026 · Sources: Cricbuzz, Rediff, Sunday Guardian, bjsports.live, Media Partners Asia
