IPL Permits Temporary Replacements Due to Absence of Several Foreign Players

Indian Premier League (IPL) on Wednesday said that teams will be allowed to introduce temporary substitutes for the rest of the competition. This decision has been made due to the unavailability of a number of foreign players because of the event's forced postponement.

The Indian Premier League was compelled to suspend itself last week during the India-Pakistan military conflict, but the news of the ceasefire has enabled the league to begin again from May 17.

The first match, IPL final, was initially to be played on May 25; however, with the changed schedule, now it would take place on June 3. This change is affecting players who have to report to their respective national sides.

Some of the players have chosen not to go back due to personal reasons, while others, such as Jamie Overton of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), will stay in the UK to play the home white-ball series against the West Indies.

In a letter shared with franchises and accessed by PTI, the IPL stated the provision for temporary replacements to the franchises.

.in the present case, where we were forced to have to delay IPL 2025 temporarily, thereby causing its culmination after the previously stipulated date of May 25, 2025, we have reviewed the Replacement Player provisions. Since certain foreign players are not available due to national duties or personal obligations or any sickness or injury, Temporary Replacement Players will be permitted up to the end of this tournament.".

This ruling is subject to the proviso that the Temporary Replacement players recruited from here on will not be subject to retention in the next year," the IPL said.

As per the IPL Player Regulations 2025-27, player replacements are allowed if a player is ill or injured, but only if the problem arises during or prior to the team's 12th league match in the season.

"Replacement players will need to register for the IPL Player Auction 2026. The replacements approved or undergone prior to the suspended period will be retainable before 2026 player auction," the note said.

The revised schedule is also likely to impact preparations for South Africa and Australia before the World Test Championship final, which is scheduled to start at Lord's on June 11.