In a major development ahead of the IPL 2025 playoffs, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formally allowed franchises to engage temporary replacements for the rest of the tournament's games. The move follows several overseas players opting out of the league because of international obligations, such as the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, England's white-ball tour of the West Indies, and Australia's tour of Sri Lanka.

The IPL, which had restarted on May 17 after being suspended for a week following India-Pakistan geopolitical tensions, has witnessed many foreign players flying back home or becoming unavailable. Sensing the effect on team combinations and balance of competition, the BCCI has eased player rules, permitting teams to engage short-term stand-ins until June 3, the IPL 2025 Final.

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This action is particularly crucial for teams such as RCB, PBKS, and MI, who are losing important players at a critical moment. With their seasons in the balance, the ability to introduce new players—even on a temporary basis—may determine the direction of their playoff campaign. But the BCCI has made it clear that only those players not already engaged in international commitments will be allowed replacement contracts.

IPL allows franchises to announce 'Temporary Replacements' for players not returning for the remainder of the IPL 🤯

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— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) May 14, 2025

A Strategic Relief In The Face Of Player Crisis

This move is reminiscent of moves made in earlier COVID-affected seasons, when teams were granted extra player flexibility. Now, with WTC preparation and bilateral series conflicting with the IPL calendar, franchises have greeted this change in rules as a relief at the right time. Although discovering good-quality replacements at short notice will be difficult, this provision at least enables teams to strengthen their sides. It's understood that several domestic and previously unsold overseas players are likely to be targeted.

The BCCI action guarantees the IPL maintains its competitiveness as it approaches the knockout rounds and stops damaged teams from influencing the quality of the competition. For fans and franchises, this move keeps expectations alive in what has been a rollercoaster but exciting season.

Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is to resume on May 17, 2025, when Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will play against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Bengaluru, after a week of suspension following heightening tensions between India and Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended the tournament on 9 May due to air raid warnings during a Punjab Kings (PBKS) against Delhi Capitals (DC) game in Dharamsala as a precaution for player safety in light of geopolitical tensions. A May 10 announced ceasefire paved the way for the return of the league, but the new schedule is now in jeopardy with a number of overseas players set to miss the rest of the season because of international obligations such as the World Test Championship (WTC) final, bilateral series, and travel bans.

As the IPL resumes, the franchises are preparing for the loss of major overseas players, affecting their plans for the coming matches and playoffs, ending with the final on June 3, 2025. The loss of these players, due to commitments such as the WTC final between Australia and South Africa, England's ODI series against the West Indies, and Australia's tour of Sri Lanka, will challenge the depth of IPL franchises. Below is a breakdown of each team’s current standing, remaining matches, and the overseas players they’re likely to miss.

Gujarat Titans (GT): Standing at the 1st position on the table with 16 points from 11 games, GT now has 3 games remaining. England's ODIs against the West Indies and WTC preparation for South African players are expected to keep Jos Buttler, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, and Gerald Coetzee out.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): Sitting 2nd with 16 points from 11 matches, RCB has 3 matches remaining. Josh Hazlewood and Lockie Ferguson are likely to miss due to WTC final preparations, while Phil Salt, Reece Topley, and Liam Livingstone will be absent due to England’s ODI series against the West Indies.

Punjab Kings (PBKS): 3rd with 15 points from 11 games, PBKS has 3 games to go. Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, and Ben Stokes are likely to be absent due to WTC preparation and travel restrictions resulting from the previous geopolitical tensions.

Mumbai Indians (MI): Sitting at 4th position with 14 points from 12 games, MI has 2 games remaining. Gerald Coetzee and Anrich Nortje are expected to miss as they prepare for the WTC final with South Africa.

Delhi Capitals (DC): 5th with 13 points after 11 matches, DC have 3 games remaining. Mitchell Starc and Lorcan Tucker will probably miss it due to preparations for the WTC and Australia's return from Sri Lanka, and Tucker's participation remains uncertain.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Standing at 6th position with 11 points from 12 games, KKR has 2 games remaining. Anrich Nortje will probably miss it because of WTC final preparations with South Africa.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Standing at 8th position with 7 points from 11 games, SRH has 3 games remaining. Pat Cummins and Travis Head will probably miss it 55 because of WTC final preparations with Australia.

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Overseas Players Missing IPL 2025