The rules around replacement of players by a team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) became a matter of intrigue after Corbin Bosch’s inclusion in the Mumbai Indians’ squad for Lizaad Williams was reported as alleged breach of his existing contract with Pakistan Super League (PSL), with Bosch facing legal action from the Pakistan Cricket Board.
It, therefore, warrants a re-visit to the rules by the IPL teams who may seek replacements over the course of two-months-long season, which begins on March 22 and ends with the final on May 25.
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THE REGULATION
The BCCI has expanded its player replacement policy, permitting teams to bring in substitutes for players facing season-ending injuries or illnesses. The governing body has modified the regulations for the current season, extending the replacement window until the 12th league fixture, compared to the previous limit which only allowed changes up to the seventh match.
ELIGIBILITY OF A REPLACEMENT PLAYER
A player seeking to be a Replacement Player must ensure their name appears on the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP) list for that season. Additionally, their full-season league fee, based on complete availability, should not be below their self-declared reserve price as specified in the RAPP list.
Bowlers on the RAPP listed as net bowlers by a specific franchise can also be picked by other franchises seeking replacements for their injured players. The compensation for a replacement player is capped at the league fee that would have been due to the original player being substituted.
The rule specifically reads: “If a Replacement Player is recruited during a season, the League Fee actually paid to him will be reduced to take account of the Franchisee’s Matches during the relevant season which took place before he was registered and any other relevant deductions under the Player Contract.”.
WHAT ABOUT THE SALARY CAP?
According to the BCCI rule book, “The League Fee payable to any Replacement Player signed pursuant to this paragraph 6 will be ignored for the purpose of the Salary Cap for that Season. If a Replacement Player’s Player Contract is extended in accordance with its terms, the League Fee payable to the Player for the subsequent Season will be charged against the Salary Cap for the relevant Season.”
In any case, the squad size of the franchise can’t exceed 25 players.
The rule further states, “For the avoidance of doubt, if a franchisee extends the contract of a replacement player, he shall, for any relevant subsequent season, be treated as any other player for the purpose of the squad composition regulations and the salary cap.”
If a replacement is sought in the middle of the season for a player who has already played a game, then, the regulations say that…
i) The said injury or illness occurs during or before the 12th League Match of the relevant Team in the Season;
ii) a doctor nominated by the BCCI confirms that the injury or illness is season ending (i.e. it means the Player will not be match fit until after the end of the Season (including the Playoffs)
iii) absent the injury or illness, the Player would have been available for all of the remaining Matches in the Season
iv) as a result of the injury or illness the Player would miss the remaining League Matches in that Season.
NB: In such circumstances, the Player who is replaced may not play for the Franchisee again in any Match during the relevant Season.
PLAYERS THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED SO FAR
Kolkata Knight Riders: Chetan Sakariya (INR 75 lakh, base price) for Umran Malik (INR 75 lakh, base price)
Mumbai Indians: Mujeeb-ur-Rahman (INR 2 crore) for Allah Ghazanfar (INR 4.8 crore)
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Wiaan Mulder (INR 75 lakh, base price) for Brydon Carse (INR 1 crore, base price)
MI’s second replacement, Bosch for Lizaad, hasn’t specified how much bringing in Bosch cost the five-time champions. He remained unsold in the mega auction last November at his base price of INR 30 lakh. Lizaad was acquired by MI for his base price of INR 75 lakh.
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