'IPL is getting stronger in many ways'- Irfan Pathan lauds BCCI's new rule for absconding overseas players in IPL

The Impact player rule remains in place, but former India pacer Irfan Pathan is applauding the revised rules for the international players.

On September 28, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the updated retention guidelines in advance of the IPL 2025 mega auctions. The player retention cap was increased by the board from four to six, and the uncapped player was included in the decision.

Pathan was outspoken against the clumsy actions of some foreign players who the franchise owners had purchased but who continued to be missing for a variety of reasons. A player who engages in these activities will be prohibited from competing in the competition for two years, according to the BCCI. The all-rounder for Baroda joked that the IPL is growing “stronger.”

“I’ve been talking about this for the past two years. It’s wonderful to see the BCCI ruling! A two-year suspension will now be imposed on players who declare themselves unavailable after being selected in the auction. In many respects, the IPL is growing stronger,” tweeted Pathan.

Here’s Irfan Pathan’s latest post on ‘X’:

Last two years I kept talking abt this. it’s Great to see decision taken by @BCCI ! Players who declare unavailability after being picked in the auction will now face a two-year ban. The @IPL is getting stronger in many ways.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 29, 2024

Rules for IPL’s new retention

A franchise may keep up to six players with a set slot for five capped players and one uncapped player under the new regulations. A club will not have the option of using the Right to Match if they want to keep all six players. There will be more RTM options the fewer numbers of the retained player. Additionally, there is no cap on the total number of foreign players that can be kept this season.

The retained players’ pay schedules have also been supplied by BCCI. 18 crore, 14 crore, and 11 crore will go to the first three retainers, in that order. The next retains are to be paid out in the amounts of 18 crore, 14 crore, and 4 crore.