IPL Retention Announcement: An announcement concerning new retention rules for the Indian Premier League is expected soon. The IPL Governing Council is scheduled to meet today, and a formal decision is likely to come out within the next 24 hours—perhaps even by Saturday.

According to sources, it will take place on the 28th of September at 11:30 AM at the Four Seasons Hotel in Bengaluru. The meeting was called last-minute, going by the fact that official notices only went out on Friday evening. While an official announcement is expected post-meeting, there is a possibility that the retention policy presented might be brought before the broader general body meeting fixed for Sunday in Bengaluru before announcing to everyone.

Apart from finalizing the retention numbers, the Governing Council will also deliberate on the date and venue to be finalized for the next mega-auction. Preliminary indications seem to be that it may happen towards the end of November, with a Gulf city potentially emerging as the venue. Saudi Arabia also follows the arbitration process, and Riyadh may appear as the venue if approved by the council.

Speculation on the retention numbers runs very high with estimates between 2 and 8 players. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to settle at a midway figure, possibly retaining 5 to 6 players, but exercising the RTM option on each.

The BCCI has already met the owners of the various teams participating in the leagues well before the onset of this year about issues concerning retention strategies, among others to seek feedback and insights from the owners.

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