Islamabad, 14 May, 2025: IPL has introduced a new regulation allowing franchises to sign temporary replacement players for the rest of the 2025 season.
This change comes in response to the unusual mid-season suspension of the tournament, which was caused by recent tensions between India and Pakistan.
The league, which is set to resume on Saturday, faces scheduling challenges as some overseas players are unavailable for the final stages.
Notably, Jake Fraser-McGurk (Delhi Capitals) and Jamie Overton (Chennai Super Kings) have withdrawn from the competition.
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While many players are returning, their national duties or personal reasons have left gaps in team line-ups.
Previously, IPL rules permitted replacement signings only for injuries or illness before or during a team’s 12th match.
However, with the disrupted season, the IPL has adapted to allow temporary substitutes regardless of timing. These replacements, however, come with a major restriction.
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Players brought in under this rule cannot be retained by their teams ahead of the next season and must re-enter the 2026 auction pool.
This rule is seen as a move to uphold the fairness of the auction system and prevent teams from bypassing it through late signings.
In a memo to franchises, the IPL confirmed the policy adjustment and stated that this special provision was introduced after reassessing the situation.
Replacement players approved before the suspension—including Sediqullah Atal, Mayank Agarwal, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Nandre Burger—will remain eligible for retention, as their signings were made under the original rules.
