Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to resume from 17th May after its suspension due to the India-Pakistan cross-border tensions. The IPL was suspended following the abandonment of Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings, which had to be stopped midway due to the drone attacks by Pakistan. A “Blackout” was then announced in Dharamshala, and the next day, IPL was suspended by the BCCI for one week. All the Indian players involved in the tournament left for their cities, whereas the foreign players flew back to their countries. Now, after a ceasefire was declared between India and Pakistan, the IPL is all set to resume from 17th May. Many foreign players are now finding it difficult to come back to the country as some have national duties whilst some are stating personal reasons due to which BCCI has announced a new rule in which franchises can sign temporary players for the final stage of the Ipl 2025 but those players will not be eligible for retention ahead of the next auction.
Change in rules
The IPL’s regulations permit franchises to sign replacements if the players are injured or ill, but only before the 12th match of the franchise's season. Now, the league has taken the call to change these rules and has allowed teams to sign temporary replacements for the remainder of the season. Delhi Capitals have already signed Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for Jake Fraser McGurk. Now, Mustafizur will be a part of the DC squad this year for the remaining part of the league, but he will not be eligible for retention ahead of the next season as he is a temporary replacement.
Not eligible for retention
IPL committee has clearly instructed the franchises that the temporary replacements will not be eligible for retention. This move is designed to avoid a situation where franchises sign a player not just because they need them, but cleverly, they get a way to get around the rules of the auction process. This tactic lets them secure talent without going through the competitive bidding system.
IPL releases a memo
The IPL has released a memo to the franchises in which they have told the teams that they have “reassessed” the rules. “Given the non-availability of certain foreign players due to national commitments or personal reasons or any injury or illness, Temporary Replacement Players will be allowed until the conclusion of the tournament,” the IPL committee said in the memo.
Players signed as replacements before suspension are eligible
The IPL also clarified that any replacements made by the franchises before the league's suspension will remain eligible for retention ahead of the next season. Players like Mayank Agarwal, Mitchell Owen, Dewald Brevis, and others signed before will be eligible for retention.
The IPL is all set to begin with the clash between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on 17th May,2025.
About the Author
Arpit Sharma is a sports writer and journalism student at Chandigarh University, with a strong interest in sports analysis and storytelling. His writing combines match insights with a fresh, fan-first perspective that brings the game to life.
Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Vygr's views.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
©️ Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Vygr Media.
