Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has praised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for its fresh decision to ban players from withdrawing from the Indian Premier League. Pathan stated that the IPL is getting stronger with this decision.
Recently, the IPL governing council met on September 28 and decided the new rules and changes for the upcoming season. One such rule change was to ban players who withdraw from an IPL season after being picked in the auction for two IPL seasons.
The request to take strict action against such players came from all ten IPL teams during the inter-franchise meeting with BCCI officials in July. The franchises have shown their discontent over the last-minute losses since it greatly affects the team at the last moment, leaving them with no option.
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Irfan Pathan praises BCCI’s decision to ban players from withdrawing from IPL
Irfan Pathan welcomed the BCCI’s decision to ban players from withdrawing from an IPL season after being selected in the auction for two years. Irfan Pathan took to social media to celebrate the decision and stated that the IPL is getting stronger in many ways.
“Last two years I kept talking about this. Great to see the decision taken by @BCCI! Players who declare themselves unavailable after being picked in the auction will now face a two-year ban. @IPL is going strong in many senses.” Irfan Pathan posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The last two years I kept talking about this. Great to see the decision taken by @BCCI! Players who declare themselves unavailable after being selected in the auction will now face a two-year suspension. The @IPL is getting stronger in many ways.
– Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 29, 2024
What does the new rule say?
Players chosen in the auction will feel obligated to show their commitment to the franchises. Players will not be able to withdraw at the last moment unless injured or medical condition, which will be confirmed by the player’s local board.
“Any [overseas] player who registers for [an] auction and, after being chosen in the auction, is not available before the start of the season will be banned from participating in the IPL/IPL auction for two seasons.” The only exception, the governing council said, will be for “an injury /medical condition, which will have to be confirmed by the [player’s] motherboard,” reads an IPL statement.
It is a great move that will satisfy the franchises as it is expected to reduce the no. of players withdrawing from the tournament at the last moment. The strict action by the tournament governing board was much needed as it is the largest cricket league in the world.
There have been many foreign players in the past who have cited mental fatigue and other reasons for withdrawing from the tournament at the last moment. Jason Roy, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood and Mitchell Starc are some of those big names; Roy retired from the IPL twice, in 2022 and 2024.