IPL 2025: BCCI tweaks replacement rules for remaining season amid resumption

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In a significant move to address the unprecedented challenges faced during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced a major rule change for the remainder of the season. The decision comes as the league prepares to resume on May 17, following a week-long suspension triggered by cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.

The BCCI has announced that franchises will now be permitted to sign temporary replacement players for the rest of IPL 2025, a departure from previous regulations that only allowed replacements in the case of injury or illness before a team’s 12th match. This adjustment is specifically designed to address the widespread non-availability of foreign players, many of whom have been called away due to national commitments, personal reasons, or ongoing security concerns following the recent geopolitical unrest.

Delhi Capitals have already become the first team to utilize the new rule, bringing in Mustafizur Rahman as a temporary replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk.

A crucial stipulation accompanies this rule tweak: any player signed as a temporary replacement after the suspension will not be eligible for retention by the franchise for the 2026 season. These players must re-enter the auction pool if they wish to participate in IPL 2026. In contrast, those signed as replacements before the suspension – such as Ayush Mhatre (CSK) and Mitch Owen (PBKS) – remain eligible for retention.

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In a memo to franchises, the IPL clarified:

“Given the non-availability of certain foreign players due to national commitments or personal reasons or any injury or illness, Temporary Replacement Players will be allowed until the conclusion of this tournament. This decision is subject to the condition that the Temporary Replacement players taken from this point forward will not be eligible for retention in the following year. Temporary Replacement players will have to register for the IPL Player Auction 2026.”

The IPL, which was suspended on May 9, is set to resume with a revised schedule. Seventeen matches, including two double-headers, will be played across six venues: Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The playoffs begin on May 29, with the final slated for June 3. The previously interrupted match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala will be replayed in Jaipur on May 24.

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