Priyanka Tiwari
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Even before the IPL 2025 season kicks off, multiple replacements have already been confirmed. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have replaced Umran Malik with Chetan Sakariya, while Mumbai Indians (MI) have brought in Mujeeb-ur-Rahman for Allah Ghazanfar. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have also made a change, replacing Brydon Carse with Wiaan Mulder.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) might soon announce more replacements, with Shardul Thakur or Shivam Mavi possibly stepping in for injured pacers Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, or Avesh Khan. However, the biggest controversy involves Corbin Bosch, who was signed by Mumbai Indians in place of Lizaad Williams. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly initiated legal action against Bosch for breaching his Pakistan Super League (PSL) contract.
Updated IPL Player Replacement Rules
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has specific regulations for player replacements in the IPL. A player can be replaced if they suffer a season-ending injury or illness, both before and during the season. This year, the BCCI revised the rule, extending the replacement deadline from the 7th league match to the 12th match.
Eligibility Criteria for a Replacement Player
To be considered for replacement, a player must:
- Be listed in the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP) for that season.
- Have a league fee equal to or higher than their reserve price mentioned in the RAPP list.
- Be available for 100% of the remaining season.
Even net bowlers listed in the RAPP pool are eligible to be picked by any franchise if needed.
Franchise Payment Rules for Replacements
- A replacement player cannot be paid more than the original player's league fee.
- If a player joins mid-season, their fee is reduced based on the number of matches missed.
For example, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman joined MI for INR 2 crore, replacing Allah Ghazanfar, who was originally signed for INR 4.8 crore. Similarly, Mulder and Sakariya were signed by SRH and KKR for INR 75 lakh each—their base price.
How Do IPL Replacement Rules Impact the Salary Cap?
The IPL salary cap is an essential part of team management. However, replacement player salaries do not count toward the salary cap for the current season. If a franchise decides to extend a replacement player’s contract into the next season, their salary will be factored into the cap.
Key Salary Cap Rules:
- Replacement player fees do not impact the team’s salary cap for the current season.
- If the player continues in the next season, their contract will be counted under the team's salary cap.
- Teams must maintain a maximum squad size of 25 players, ensuring compliance with roster regulations.
Franchises signing replacements in 2025, 2026, or 2027 can extend their contracts for the following season. However, once extended, the player will be treated like a regular squad member.
Mid-Season Replacements: Injury Rules and Restrictions
If an injured player has already played in the season, they can be replaced only under strict conditions:
- The injury occurs before or during the team’s 12th league match.
- A BCCI-appointed doctor confirms the injury is season-ending.
- The player would have been available for all remaining matches if not injured.
- The injured player is ruled out for the entire season, including playoffs.
Once a player is replaced, they cannot rejoin the same team for the rest of the season.
Corbin Bosch’s Legal Trouble with PCB
One of the biggest talking points this season is the legal dispute surrounding Corbin Bosch. Mumbai Indians signed Bosch as a replacement for Lizaad Williams, who was initially bought for INR 75 lakh. However, Bosch reportedly had a contract with Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL, valued between USD 60,000 to 80,000 (INR 50-75 lakh).
PCB has raised objections, stating that Bosch breached his PSL contract by prioritizing IPL. Legal action may follow, making this one of the rare cases where a replacement signing leads to a contractual dispute.
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