Explained: BCCI’s RAPP sheet and why it is important for IPL 2026
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shared a list of 1,307 players with all IPL teams. These players took part in the auction held on December 16 in Abu Dhabi but were not sold. If a team needs a replacement during the season, they can only pick a player from this list.
As Indian Premier League (IPL) teams move on from the auction to squad planning, focus has now shifted to the Registered Available Player Pool, also called RAPP. Many fans do not talk much about this list, but it is very important. It helps teams choose replacement players after the auction is over.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shared a list of 1,307 players with all IPL teams. These players took part in the auction held on December 16 in Abu Dhabi but were not sold. If a team needs a replacement during the season, they can only pick a player from this list.
The RAPP (Registered Available Player Pool) list includes many well-known international players. Former Australia captain Steve Smith, England players Reece Topley, Jamie Smith and Jonny Bairstow, and New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell are part of the list. Mitchell, who recently won the Player of the Series award in the ODI series between India and New Zealand, is listed at number 98 with a base price of Rs 2 crore.
Several Indian players with international experience are also included. Mayank Agarwal, KS Bharat, Deepak Hooda, Navdeep Saini, Chetan Sakariya, Sandeep Warrier and Umesh Yadav are among the Indian players in the list. Each of them has a base price of Rs 75 lakh.
Rules for Using the RAPP
The BCCI has shared strict rules for using the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP). Teams are not allowed to sign a replacement player for a price lower than the player’s reserve price set before the auction. Teams can also hire players from the RAPP as net bowlers during the season, but this does not give them any special rights to sign those players later.
Why Is the RAPP Important?
Kolkata Knight Riders are currently searching for a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman after the Bangladesh fast bowler was released from the squad. Since the auction is over, the three-time champions can only choose a new player from the RAPP list.
Recent Examples from the IPL
During IPL 2025, the Chennai Super Kings made several changes to their squad because of injuries to players. To fill those spots, they also had to use the RAPP list to select replacement players.
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