IPL franchises propose two-year ban on overseas players’ exit post auction deal

IPL 2024. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises have collectively recommended a two-year ban on overseas players who withdraw from the tournament after being purchased at the auction without a legitimate reason. This proposal aims to address the growing concern of last-minute player pullouts and their impact on team strategies and performance.

The IPL, one of the world’s most popular cricket leagues, has faced challenges with international players withdrawing from the tournament after being bought at the auction.

These sudden withdrawals often leave teams scrambling to find suitable replacements, potentially affecting their competitiveness and overall performance in the league.

During a recent meeting with IPL officials, representatives from all ten franchises voiced their concerns regarding player withdrawals. They emphasized the damaging effects of such actions on team planning and strategy, as franchises often build their squads around key overseas players.

Also read: IPL franchises hope for leeway in player retention, purse amount and RTM rules ahead of Mega Auction

Franchises raise issues on player withdrawal post-auction

The franchises acknowledged that legitimate reasons for withdrawal, such as injuries, family emergencies, or international commitments, should be exempted from the proposed ban. However, they stressed the need for clarity regarding player availability at the time of the auction to avoid last-minute surprises.

Another issue raised during the meeting was the trend of prominent overseas players skipping mega auctions in favor of mini-auctions. Franchises pointed out that this practice allows players to potentially secure higher bids due to the limited talent pool in mini-auctions.

To address this, they suggested making it mandatory for established international players to register for mega auctions.

Also read: IPL teams may push for action against unreliable foreign players

The franchises also highlighted instances, where players purchased at base price withdrew post-auction, with some even attempting to negotiate higher payments through their managers. This behavior has been viewed as an attempt to manipulate the system, prompting calls for stricter regulations.