Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has called for tougher measures against last-minute withdrawals from the IPL and urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to review its current punishment system. The former India captain feels that the existing two-year ban rule is not strong enough to deter players from withdrawing after being picked in the auction.
Gavaskar’s remarks come in the wake of several significant withdrawals, with overseas players opting out of IPL commitments citing workload management or personal priorities. Speaking exclusively to India Today about the issue, Gavaskar highlighted how the BCCI should opt for more effective punishments in such cases.
Read the full story
“It’s tough. Obviously Ben Duckett had a very good Ashes series and if he hadn’t been bought for the amount he was in The Hundred auction maybe things would have been different. It’s understandable that after being bought for a very good price in The Hundred he was probably quite happy to miss out and said he wanted to focus on his England Test career,” Gavaskar said.
“But yes, what should be done is something that the BCCI should also think about because a two-year ban is obviously not working. You have to look at something that will have an impact. Until it impacts the player and his chances of coming back to the IPL, it will not work,” he added.
The IPL has introduced a rule that prevents foreign players from participating in the tournament and future auctions for two seasons if they withdraw after being selected, unless due to a verified injury or medical condition. However, recent cases suggest that this rule may not act as a strong enough deterrent.
WHY DUCKETT’S IPL END FOSTERED DEBATE?
Ben Duckett’s withdrawal from IPL 2026 reignited the debate over player engagement and league rules.
The England batsman, who was signed by Delhi Capitals for Rs 2 crore, decided to prioritize red-ball cricket in the off-season and spend time at home. His decision came shortly after a busy international schedule, including the Ashes and the T20 World Cup.
Under IPL rules, Duckett now faces a potential two-year ban from the league and future auctions. His case follows that of Harry Brook, who earlier withdrew after being bought for Rs 6.25 crore and is currently serving a similar ban.
These repeated selections have raised questions about whether players are using the system, something Gavaskar had previously warned against. He also suggested that franchises should take a tougher stance on such players in future auctions.
As the IPL continues to attract global stars, the BCCI may now be forced to rethink its policy to ensure better accountability and commitment from foreign players.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
March 29, 2026 08:33 IST
