The Indian Premier League (IPL) announced on Wednesday that teams can bring in temporary replacements for the rest of the tournament due to overseas player withdrawals stemming from the India-Pakistan conflict, rescheduling of the IPL, and subsequent clashes with international cricket commitments.
The IPL, set to resume on Saturday after its suspension, now has dates that conflict with international duties for several players. For instance, England’s Jamie Overton (Chennai Super Kings) and Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk (Delhi Capitals) have opted out of the remaining matches, which conclude on June 3.
In a memo to franchises seen by AFP, the league stated that “Given the non-availability of certain foreign players due to national commitments or personal reasons or any injury or illness, temporary replacement players will be allowed until the conclusion of this tournament.”
The memo clarified that these temporary replacements acquired from this point forward will not be eligible for retention by the franchises in the following year and will need to register for the IPL Player Auction 2026.
Overton, an all-rounder, is part of England’s white-ball squad scheduled to play a home ODI series against the West Indies starting on May 29.
Fraser-McGurk withdrew for “personal reasons,” and Delhi Capitals have signed Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman as his replacement.
Delhi is also awaiting the return of Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc and the availability of South African players Faf du Plessis and Tristan Stubbs.
Stubbs is included in South Africa’s squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia, commencing on June 11 at Lord’s.
South Africa’s coach, Shukri Conrad, indicated on Tuesday that he still anticipates his players joining the national team on May 26, the day after the IPL final’s original date.
The IPL is scheduled to restart with a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday, marking the first of the remaining 13 regular-season games.
