According to reports, the player retention policy in the Indian Premier League (IPL) could be changed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ahead of the 2017 edition of the marquee Twenty20 tournament.

As per the three-year contract signed by the franchises in 2014, teams can retain up to a maximum of five players and use the "right to match" card, which basically gives them first right of refusal, for another of their players.

However, it is believed that most teams are in favour of all the players going back into the auction from 2017 onwards and that each team should be given five "right to match" cards to enable them to match the bid amounts for a maximum of five players if they wish to do so.

If this proposal goes ahead, the likes of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, who have been with Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore, respectively, ever since the first season, might have to go under the hammer.