The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to resume on May 17 after a week-long suspension prompted by escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Meanwhile, the IPL has taken a bold decision, allowing franchises to sign temporary replacement players for the remainder of the season. However, these players will not be eligible for retention ahead of the next edition of the league.
While the majority of overseas players have confirmed their availability, the availability of Mitchell Starc, Jos Buttler Tristan Stubbs and Kagiso Rabada remains in doubt due to international assignments. Moreover, players like Jamie Overton (CSK) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (DC) have pulled out of the remainder of the tournament.
“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 this tournament,” the league stated in a memo as per ESPNcricinfo.
“This decision is subject to the condition that the Temporary Replacement players taken from this point forward will not be eligible for retention in the following year. Temporary Replacement players will have to register for the IPL Player Auction 2026,”.
Delhi Capitals have become the first franchise to apply the rule by signing Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk.