In the upcoming BCCI meeting with franchise owners, topics like player retention limits, the potential reintroduction of the Right to Match (RTM) option, and the Impact Player rule will be discussed. However, a key issue now is the problem of foreign players withdrawing from IPL seasons, disrupting franchise plans.
According to a report, multiple franchises have expressed frustration over the perceived disrespect and lack of commitment from these players. High-profile withdrawals by players like Jason Roy, Alex Hales, and Wanindu Hasaranga have caused significant issues, raising concerns about player reliability.
This season, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recalled players for international matches just before the IPL playoffs. This move caused frustration among the affected teams, who missed key English players during critical knockout games. England captain Jos Buttler also voiced his dissatisfaction, suggesting that bilateral matches should be avoided during the IPL.
“It’s my personal opinion that there shouldn’t be any international cricket that clashes with the IPL. I think that these games have been in the calendar for a long time. Of course, leading into a World Cup, your No. 1 priority is playing for England and performing for England. I feel like this is the best preparation,” Buttler had said.
“We are always very pleased when our players go out, around the world playing in franchise tournaments. We have a very good record. If you look at 2023, there were 74 English qualified men’s players that played in tournaments around the world. That is by far and away means that we’re the biggest contributor to global franchises, bar none,” says ECB CEO Richard Gould on this matter.
“The second best performing nation, I think, is Pakistan on 45. So, look, we’re always very keen when our players are able to pursue other opportunities. But of course, as you’ll have seen, as we’ve gone into multi- year central contracts, it’s extremely important that our top players, both men and women, are available, able and willing to play for England when we have bilateral or ICC internationals that we’re competing in,” Gould added.
Franchise officials have urged the BCCI CEO to take strong actions against these defaulting players, with some suggesting bans as a deterrent.
The report also highlights a trend where some foreign players skip the mega-auction in favor of the mini-auction to attract higher bids. The BCCI is aware of these concerns, which will likely be addressed in the upcoming meeting.
