IPL Franchises Propose Two-Year Ban on Overseas Players

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises have suggested a two-year ban on overseas players who withdraw from the season without a valid reason after the auction. This proposal comes after numerous instances where players have backed out, causing disruptions to team strategies.

New Rules for Overseas Players in Mega Auctions

Franchises have also requested that overseas players register for the Mega Auction, not just the Mini Auction. This change is aimed at ensuring higher prices and better availability of top players. The proposals were discussed and agreed upon during a meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Wankhede Stadium on July 31, with all ten IPL teams in agreement.

Every IPL season sees multiple players withdrawing after the auction, citing personal reasons. For example, Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga withdrew from IPL 2024 just before the tournament, despite being signed by SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). Other players like Jason Roy and Alex Hales have also backed out at the last minute due to personal reasons, workload concerns, and mental fatigue.

Ensuring Commitment to Team Strategies

Despite some disagreements among the franchises during the meeting, they ultimately agreed on the two key points. Team owners expressed concern that player pull-outs undermine the carefully constructed strategies of the teams. Some players, purchased at or slightly above the base price, have reportedly backed out, with their managers informing the franchise that the player would become available if offered a higher price.

Differences Among Franchises

Franchises are open to new overseas players trying their luck in the Mini Auction, where prices tend to be higher due to limited talent. However, they want more established overseas players to register for the Mega Auction. If unsold in the Mega Auction, those players could then enter the following year’s Mini Auction.

Retention Disagreements

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) wanted to retain up to eight players each, arguing for no cap on the number of Indian or overseas players in those retentions. However, Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) strongly disagreed with these suggestions. Both KKR and SRH were also against the idea of a Mega Auction, viewing it as harmful to their long-term strategy of building a core team over the years.

The proposals, if accepted, aim to create a more stable and committed player pool, ensuring that teams can rely on their chosen players and build stronger strategies for the season. The changes reflect the franchises’ desire for a more reliable and competitive league.