As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 gears up for its resumption on May 17, the league has introduced a key rule change to address the foreign player unavailability issue caused by the recent India-Pakistan conflict.
The IPL was suspended on May 9 following heightened military tensions, which created uncertainty over player safety. After a ceasefire was announced, the BCCI confirmed that the remaining 16 matches would go ahead as scheduled.
Temporary Replacements Allowed – With a Catch
To help franchises deal with players who have opted out due to national duties, injuries, or personal reasons, the IPL has tweaked the replacement player rule exclusively for the rest of the 2025 season.
Franchises can now sign temporary replacement players even if they have completed more than 12 matches. However, these players:
- Will not be eligible for retention in the 2026 season
- Must register again for the IPL 2026 Auction
“Temporary Replacement Players will be allowed until the conclusion of this tournament… but they won’t be eligible for retention in the following year,” said an IPL memo.
What Happens to Pre-Suspension Replacements?
Players who were signed as replacements before the suspension of the tournament will still be eligible for retention under the normal rules. The change only applies to players signed after IPL’s return on May 17.
What’s Next?
The IPL will resume with a high-voltage clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday, May 17.
With 16 games left, including the playoffs, this new rule provides some flexibility to the teams while maintaining fairness for next year’s auction process.
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