The effect of the BCCI’s rigor towards foreign actors is visibleImage Credit Source: PTI
The mega auction of the IPL 2025 season is not far away. Next season’s big auction will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 24-25. Starting from this auction, the 10 franchises will prepare their staff for the next 3 years. This time the auction is very special because not only is it held abroad, but this time the auction purse is also larger. Apart from this, this time the BCCI has laid down some new rules and the huge impact of one of those rules is now visible for foreign players. For the last few seasons, the acts of foreign players suddenly withdrawing their names from the IPL will no longer be seen because after the rigor of the BCCI, different cricket boards have made promises in this regard.
Over the past few seasons, it has been seen that many foreign players enter the auction but just before the season starts, some players withdraw their names. Similarly, some players are available all season but are suddenly called back mid-season by their management, as was seen in the case of England players last season. The IPL franchise had complained to the BCCI, following which the board issued rules.
BCCI took strict measures, now the effect is visible
As per the new BCCI rules, foreign players will have to register themselves for the mega auction. If this does not happen then they will not be able to participate in the mini auction for the next 2 seasons. Likewise, if a player is sold at the auction but suddenly withdraws his name before the start of the season, he will be suspended for 2 years. The effect of these strict BCCI rules is now visible: cricket boards have agreed to take full commitment towards their players.
Cricbuzz revealed in a report that the cricket boards of Afghanistan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe have told the BCCI that their players will be fully available for the 2025 to 2027 season. The report talks about clarifying the situation in the future involving some players from Australia, England and Sri Lanka. However, the England Cricket Board has made it clear that in addition to its out-of-contract players, contracted core players will also be available throughout the season.
BCE and CA gave confidence to the BCCI
The report says that players like Harry Brook, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Olly Pope, Will Jacques, Phil Salt, who are part of England’s central contract, will be available throughout the season. On the other hand, some players from teams like Australia and South Africa will be available for a 50 to 75 percent share. At the same time, Cricket Australia has said that all players will be available for the 2025 season, while after the T20 World Cup in the 2026 season, the team will have to play a series against Pakistan. Players available during this period will be able to play the entire season. To mark 150 years of Test cricket, a special Test match will be held in Melbourne between Australia and England from March 11, 2027. Apart from that match, all other players will be free for the entire season.
