Table of Contents
The Indian Premier League 2025 has entered its final phase, and things are heating up—not just on the field but behind the scenes too. With multiple overseas players pulling out, the IPL has made a bold move: temporary replacements are now allowed for the rest of the season. Yes, temporary replacements can be signed by franchises, but there’s a catch—they cannot be retained for the next year’s auction.
Franchises are scrambling as players leave for national duty, personal reasons, or due to injuries. In response, the BCCI has officially relaxed its rules. The memo to teams stated, “Temporary Replacement Players will be allowed until the tournament ends, but they must re-enter the IPL 2026 Auction and cannot be retained.”
This change is major. Previously, replacements could only be brought in before or during a team’s 12th match—and only if a player was injured or ill. Now, replacements can be signed till the season ends, giving teams more flexibility to finish strong. But the BCCI made it clear—this is a one-time exception, not the new normal.
Why This Rule Matters
Teams can no longer use injury replacements as a sneaky way to lock in talent before auctions. This rule ensures a fair playing field ahead of IPL 2026. Players signed before the season’s suspension still qualify for retention—like Sediqullah Atal (DC), Mayank Agarwal (RCB), and Nandre Burger (RR).
Big Names Missing In Action
-
Jake Fraser-McGurk (DC) left due to personal reasons. Mustafizur Rahman replaced him for INR 6 crore.
-
Jamie Overton (CSK) also exited mid-season.
-
Mitchell Starc, Faf du Plessis, and Tristan Stubbs could also miss the playoffs.
-
Jos Buttler, Will Jacks, and Jacob Bethell are expected to leave early for England’s ODI series.
Stubbs’ case is particularly sensitive—his No Objection Certificate is valid only till May 25 due to South Africa’s WTC Final commitments.
A Ray of Hope
Not all news is grim. Mumbai Indians got a big lift with Trent Boult returning—his comeback could be a game-changer in their playoff push.
🏏 What This Means for Fans and Teams
This twist adds serious drama to the IPL 2025 finish. Teams must adapt fast. Will these last-minute changes help or hurt? Only time will tell.
👉 Stay updated with all the latest twists on Cricket Army—where passion meets play!
