The IPL has introduced stringent rules aimed at curbing player withdrawals after being signed in the auction. These new rules were made public on September 28, with a focus on player retention, the Right-to-Match options, and other regulations for the 2025 season. One of the key highlights is a two-year ban for any player who pulls out after being signed in the auction, a decision made in response to repeated requests from Indian cricket experts and teams. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) emphasized that this move is meant to protect franchises that are often left scrambling when a signed player withdraws.
“Any player who registers in the player auction and after getting picked at the auction, makes himself unavailable before the start of the season, will get banned from participating in the tournament and player auction for 2 seasons,” said a statement from the BCCI, signed by honorary secretary Jay Shah.
Player Withdrawals: A Growing Concern
The issue of players withdrawing from the IPL after getting signed, especially foreign players, has been a point of debate within the cricketing community. While some players have genuine reasons for pulling out, such as injuries or mental health issues, others have left teams in a bind by backing out without sufficient reason. This problem has persisted for several years, and Indian pundits have been vocal in asking the BCCI to take firm action. Teams are often forced to search for replacements from the unsold pool of players, which sometimes does not provide the same quality, causing issues in team composition.
Despite these challenges, the new rule is expected to provide a stronger framework to ensure that players are more committed once they sign up for the auction. Franchises can now feel more secure about their player investments, knowing that they have some protection against last-minute withdrawals.
Restrictions on Overseas Players
In addition to addressing the issue of player withdrawals, the BCCI has also introduced rules targeting overseas players who attempt to bypass the main auction. Some foreign players, instead of registering for the ‘Big Auction’ held every three years, wait for smaller, less predictable auctions during the middle of the cycle. These smaller auctions sometimes lead to unexpectedly high payoffs for overseas players, especially if a specific skillset is in demand. Australian stars Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins are prime examples, as they became the league’s highest-paid players in recent seasons. Starc was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 24.75 crore, while Cummins went to Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 20.5 crore.
To counter this, the BCCI has made it mandatory for overseas players to register for the main auction. “Any Overseas Player will have to register for the Big Auction. In case the overseas player doesn’t register, then he will be ineligible to register in the following year’s player auction,” stated the BCCI.
The 2025 IPL auction is scheduled for November, with reports indicating it could be held in a West Asian country.
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