IPL 2025: Two-year ban for overseas players for pulling out after auction

The issue of foreign players pulling out of the auction after being picked is being addressed by the actions taken by the Indian Premier League (IPL) General Council (IPL GC).

New retention guidelines were developed in a recent Bengaluru meeting between the IPL General Council and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to stop players from withdrawing from the game after being purchased at auction. A two-year ban was stipulated in the rule for foreign players who withdraw without good cause. If the player’s home board verifies the injuries or medical conditions, an exception will be made.

“Players will be barred from the IPL/IPL auction for two seasons if they register for [an] auction, get picked at the auction, and then decide not to participate before the season begins. An injury or medical condition that the [player’s] home board will need to verify,” the statement read.

Retention rule: International player’s auction fee is lower than the highest retention price or the highest auction price at a major auction.

The IPL has implemented regulations to control player fees in mini-auctions in addition to the prohibition. In order to be eligible for upcoming mini auctions, overseas players will now need to register for mega auctions. This regulation stops participants from avoiding large auctions in order to perhaps place larger bids in smaller auctions.

Additionally, a maximum charge for foreign players in mini-auctions has been introduced by the IPL. This cap will be established at the highest auction price from the last mega auction or the maximum retention price of INR 18 crore, whichever is lower. Through mini auctions, when teams frequently pay premium rates to address specific squad holes, this method seeks to limit the growth of player values.

“The highest retention price [of INR 18 crore] or the highest auction price at the major auction will be the lower of any overseas player’s auction fee at the small auction. 18 crs [INR 18 crore] will be the maximum if the biggest auction price at the large auction is 20 crs [INR 20 crore]. The paper further said that “the cap will be 16 crs [INR 16 crore] if the highest auction price at big auction is 16 crs [INR 16 crore].”

Also Read: IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Six Retentions, RTM Comeback Confirmed, Impact Player to Continue

Following the previous auctions, which saw bids that broke records, these additional regulations were introduced. Among the notable instances are Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who were purchased in the most recent auction for INR 20.50 crore and INR 24.75 crore, respectively.