The IPL 2025 season hasn’t even begun, and several player replacements have already been announced. One such replacement has even sparked a legal dispute. For instance, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) brought in Chetan Sakariya to replace Umran Malik, Mumbai Indians (MI) signed Mujeeb-ur-Rahman as a replacement for Allah Ghazanfar, and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) roped in Wiaan Mulder for Brydon Carse.
There could be more replacements on the horizon, with Shardul Thakur and Shivam Mavi being potential options for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to cover for their injured pacers—Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Avesh Khan. However, one replacement has hit a snag. Corbin Bosch, who replaced Lizaad Williams in the Mumbai Indians squad, is facing potential legal action from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for allegedly breaching his contract with the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to join the IPL.
But before diving into the specifics, let’s break down the rules governing player replacements in the IPL.
How Do IPL 2025 Replacement Rules Work?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) permits replacements if a player suffers a season-ending injury or illness, either before or during the season. Notably, the BCCI has revised the rule this season, allowing replacements up to the 12th league match of the season, extending it from the previous limit of seven matches.
Key Conditions for Replacement Players:
- Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP):
- Replacement players must be listed in the RAPP for the relevant season.
- Their league fee for the full season (assuming 100% availability) cannot be less than the reserve price they set in the RAPP.
- Franchise Rights:
- Franchises cannot prevent a player from joining another team if they are listed in the RAPP, even if the player has been serving as a net bowler for them.
- Replacement Player Fees:
- The replacement player’s fee cannot exceed the league fee of the player they are replacing.
- If a replacement is signed mid-season, their fee is adjusted based on the number of matches already played by the franchise.
Impact on Salary Cap
- The league fee paid to a replacement player is excluded from the salary cap for that season.
- If the replacement player’s contract is extended for the following season, their fee will then count toward the salary cap for that subsequent season.
Mid-Season Replacement Rules
For a mid-season replacement due to injury or illness:
- The injury/illness must occur before or during the 12th league match of the season.
- A BCCI-appointed doctor must confirm that the injury/illness is season-ending, meaning the player won’t be match-fit before the season concludes (including playoffs).
- The injured player must have been available for all remaining matches had they not been injured.
- The injured player cannot return to play for the franchise in any match during the same season.
Recent Replacements and Their Implications
- Mujeeb-ur-Rahman (MI):Â Replaced Allah Ghazanfar (INR 4.8 crore) but was signed for INR 2 crore.
- Wiaan Mulder (SRH) and Chetan Sakariya (KKR):Â Both were signed for their base price of INR 75 lakh.
- Corbin Bosch (MI):Â Replaced Lizaad Williams (INR 75 lakh). Bosch had gone unsold in the auction with a base price of INR 30 lakh but is believed to have a PSL contract worth INR 50-75 lakh with Peshawar Zalmi, leading to potential legal issues with the PCB.
Key Takeaways
- The IPL’s replacement rules are designed to ensure teams can adapt to unforeseen circumstances while maintaining fairness and compliance with salary cap and squad composition regulations.
- Franchises have the flexibility to sign replacement players mid-season, provided they adhere to the BCCI’s guidelines.
- Legal disputes, like the one involving Corbin Bosch, highlight the complexities of player contracts across multiple leagues.
As the IPL 2025 season progresses, more replacements may be announced, keeping fans and franchises on their toes. Stay tuned for updates!
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