RTM Card Explained: How It Works in IPL and WPL Mega Auctions

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has put in great efforts to make the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well as the Women's Premier League (WPL) two of the biggest cricket leagues in the world. Not only in terms of the finances, but also in competitions, IPL and WPL top the charts. After the success of the IPL, the BCCI launched WPL in 2023. Now, both leagues are doing great in their respective fields. With the way things are going, the IPL and the WPL are set to rule the leagues for decades to come.

Every year, ahead of the IPL and the WPL, the BCCI hosts an auction for the teams to form a stronger team for the upcoming season. The mega auction takes after every three years, while mini-auctions are there for the rest of the seasons. Ahead of the auctions in both RTM in IPL and WPL is used, franchises are asked to retain a specific number of players. And then in the mega auction, they have the luxury to use the Right to Match card, which allows them to rebuy the player from some of the best cricket teams in the world, who were part of their squad last season.

What is an RTM Card? How Does it Work in IPL and WPL Mega Auctions?

Right to Match is a card that can be used by the team in the mega auction to bring back the player from the previous year's squad when he/she is bought by another team in the mega auction. The number of RTM Cards a franchise will have in the auction depends on the number of players a franchise retains ahead of the auction. For example, if we take a look at RTM in WPL for the 2026 edition, we will get a better idea of how it works.

For the WPL 2026 auction, all five franchises were asked to retain five players, which must include a maximum of three capped Indian players, and no more than two overseas players. And if the franchise retains all five players, then one needs to be the uncapped player. The RTM Card will be available for every not retained. Suppose, if a franchise retains five players, then they will have no Right to Match card available in the auction. And if the team retains just one player, they will have four RTM in WPL auctions.

Who will have Most RTM Cards in WPL 2026 Mega Auction?

In the upcoming WPL 2026 mega auctions, UP Warriorz Women will have the most number of RTM cards as they retained only one player. Gujarat Giants Women will have three RTMs, while RCB Women will have just one. Mumbai Indians Women and Delhi Capitals Women won’t have any RTM cards as they retained five players each.

The rule states: “If the franchise wants to use the RTM card, the franchise that made the final bid will have an additional opportunity to raise its bid. And then, the team with the RTM will have to need to match that new bid using the RTM card to secure the player."