IPL Franchises Recommend Two-Year Ban for Overseas Players Who Withdraw
Amid concerns that overseas players who were bought at the auction may make themselves unavailable for the season, Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises have proposed a two-year ban on such players. This recommendation was reported by Cricinfo on 3 August.
Mandatory Registration for Mega Auctions
In a meeting held on 31 July, IPL franchises also proposed making it mandatory for overseas players to register for the mega auctions, not just the mini-auctions. This move anticipates potentially large price tags and aims to ensure commitment from the players. The demand emerged after multiple overseas players withdrew just before the start of a new season, often citing personal reasons.
Impact on Team Performance
The franchises highlighted that these last-minute withdrawals negatively impact team performance, as the sudden unavailability of key players disrupts team strategy and forces franchises to scramble for replacements. While withdrawals due to international commitments, injuries, or family matters are understandable, other personal reasons create significant challenges for the franchises.
Examples and Concerns
Recent examples of such issues include instances where players pulled out, only for their managers to suggest that the players could be available for a higher fee. Between 2018 and 2024, some overseas players skipped the mega auctions but participated in the mini-auctions to attract bigger bids.
Call for a Systematic Solution
The report highlighted significant bids from recent auctions, such as ₹15.25 crore for Ishan Kishan by Mumbai Indians in 2022, ₹24.75 crore for Mitchell Starc by Kolkata Knight Riders, and ₹20.50 crore for Pat Cummins by Sunrisers Hyderabad. Franchises believe that players and their managers are exploiting the auction system and thus, a structured system is needed to prevent such irregularities. They proposed that bigger names register for mega auctions, with the option to enter mini-auctions if they go unsold in the initial round.(Dubai7-Realmoneygame)