The Indian Premier League (IPL), the world’s wealthiest T20 tournament, is poised for a new phase with the 2025 cycle. Although the official schedule for the IPL 2025 auction remains unconfirmed, reports suggest that franchises are proposing several changes for the upcoming edition.
An ESPN Cricinfo report indicates that franchises are advocating for a complete two-year ban on overseas players who withdraw from the tournament without a clear reason. The teams argue that there have been instances where players have left mid-season after being acquired in the auction.
Additionally, team owners are demanding that overseas players be required to register for the mega auction. Many players currently skip the mega auction in favor of the mini auction to secure higher bids.
The report highlights that franchises are concerned about the negative impact on team performance due to the untimely and unreasonable mid-season withdrawal of players. However, the proposed two-year ban would exclude cases of injuries, other global commitments, and family issues.
In the most recent mini auction, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins made headlines as the most expensive buys in IPL history. Starc was purchased by the Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 24.75 crore, while Cummins was bought by the Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.50 crore.