IPL Franchises Demand Ban on Foreign Players Who Withdraw Without Valid Reason: Report

A foreign player pulling out of an Indian Premier League (IPL) season after the auction creates a significant problem for the respective franchise. Franchises invest considerable effort in assembling their teams, and the withdrawal of a key player can disrupt the team’s balance. Several star overseas players, including Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, and Jason Roy, have previously pulled out of IPL editions. While some had legitimate reasons, others did not provide a valid explanation for their absence.

According to a Cricbuzz report, the franchises have proposed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that action be taken against foreign players who withdraw from the event without valid reasons. Some franchises have even suggested banning these players from future events.

“In their one-on-one meetings with the BCCI CEO recently, franchise officials have sought actions against truant players who have withdrawn without valid reasons, with some even suggesting bans for these unreliable players,” stated the report.

Meanwhile, a PTI report indicated that the purse value of franchises is likely to increase by 20 to 25 percent.

“I think that (increase of purse) is happening for sure. The standard increase should be anywhere between 20 to 25 percent, and hence anything in the range of Rs 120 crore to 125 crore will be a fair deal. Most franchises would agree to it,” a senior official of one of the IPL franchises told the agency on condition of anonymity.

However, the more significant issue is player retention, where it could be challenging to reach a consensus as most teams have different requirements. Currently, the IPL allows four retentions per year, with three being Indian players and one overseas. It is believed that most teams want the retention limit to be increased to between five and six players.