IPL 2025 Auction : The IPL 2025 mega auction was filled with surprises, but one of the most talked about moments was Ishan Kishan’s move to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for ₹11.25 crore. Fans were left wondering why the Mumbai Indians (MI), a team with a long standing association with Kishan, didn’t use their Right to Match (RTM) card to retain the dynamic wicketkeeper batter.
IPL 2025 Auction : Why Mumbai Indians Didn’t Use RTM to Pick Ishan Kishan in IPL 2025 Mega Auction?
Mumbai Indians and Ishan Kishan: A Long Partnership
Ishan Kishan joined the MI camp in 2018 and quickly became a cornerstone of their lineup. He amassed 2,644 runs in over 100 IPL games, becoming one of the league’s most dependable batters. In the 2022 mega auction, MI had even splurged a record amount to secure his services.
Fast forward to 2025, Kishan was back in the auction pool after being released by MI. The expectation was high that MI, known for valuing their core players, would use their RTM card to bring him back. However, despite the intense bidding war, SRH eventually acquired Kishan, leaving MI fans disappointed.
IPL RTM Rules: The Key to MI’s Decision
The reason MI couldn’t retain Ishan Kishan boils down to IPL’s retention and RTM rules. Each team is allowed to retain up to six players in total, using a combination of direct retentions and RTM cards. However, there are specific restrictions:
- A team can retain a maximum of five capped players (Indian or overseas).
- At least one spot must be reserved for an uncapped player if the six-player limit is reached.
Before the auction, MI had already retained five capped players:
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Hardik Pandya
- Rohit Sharma
- Tilak Varma
This meant that MI’s capped player quota was full, and their only remaining RTM card could only be used for an uncapped player. As Kishan is a capped player, MI was automatically disqualified from using their RTM card to retain him.
SRH’s Big Bid and Kishan’s New Start
The auction saw fierce competition for Kishan, with Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and MI entering the fray. Eventually, SRH secured the explosive batter for ₹11.25 crore, strengthening their top order. With Kishan’s addition, SRH now boasts a versatile lineup, providing them with options both as an opener and a middle-order stabilizer.
MI’s decision not to use their RTM card wasn’t about undervaluing Kishan but adhering to IPL’s roster rules. While his departure leaves a gap, MI still has an experienced core in Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya. Additionally, their uncapped player RTM card remains available, which they may use to acquire a promising young talent.
