IPL franchises push for two-year ban on overseas players skipping league

All ten Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises have proposed a significant change to the league’s player regulations. They have recommended the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) impose a two-year ban on overseas players who skip the league after being selected in the auction. The teams also want these players to be required to register for the main auction rather than just participating in mini-auctions.

The call for this ban comes after several instances where players withdrew at the last moment due to personal reasons. This not only disrupted team strategies but also forced franchises to seek replacements from a limited pool of international talent. The teams have urged the BCCI to ensure that player availability is confirmed at the time of the auction, except for unavoidable personal emergencies.

Another issue raised by the franchises involves the practice of players participating in mini-auctions to secure higher deals. Teams have reported cases where players withdrew from the mega auction only to reappear in mini-auctions for more lucrative contracts. The franchises also discussed the impact of such practices on the salary cap and overall team planning.

These proposed changes aim to create a more stable and predictable environment for team management, ensuring that player commitments are honored and team strategies are not compromised.