Gavaskar calls for overseas players to be punished for leaving IPL early

Amidst reports that the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises could be without the services of England players for the playoffs due to the bilateral series between England and Pakistan towards the end of May, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has called for franchises to have the power to punish players who exit the competition early to attend to national duty.

On top of that, the 74-year-old also believes that when countries call players back early for international matches, the BCCI should not be obliged to pay the respective boards the commission they are owed.

“Now, I am all for players choosing country before anything else but having assured various franchises about their availability for the full season, if they pull out now, it will be letting down the franchises which probably pay them more money in one IPL season which they don’t earn in a few seasons with their country,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for mid-day.

“The franchises should not only be allowed to deduct a substantial amount from the fee that the player was bought for, but also not give the Board, to which the player belongs, the stated 10 per cent commission of the fee that each player gets. If the Board has gone back on its assurance they need to be penalised too.”

For the longest time, all non-India cricket boards have been pocketing money for allowing their players to play in the IPL. Currently, the BCCI pays 10% of an overseas player's annual fees to their home board.

“By the way, this 10 per cent commission to the Boards happens only in the IPL and nowhere else,” Gavaskar added. 

“Not in the Australian Big Bash nor in the ECB’s The Hundred, nor in the Caribbean Premier League, nor any other T20 league anywhere else in the world. Does the BCCI get any thanks for its generosity? Ha ha ha. No way.”

Gavaskar further went on to state that players leaving the competition early is justified if the franchises are informed in advance, but it’s not fair if they pull out mid-way unannounced.

“If the player on his own has informed the franchise that if he is selected for his country he would like to go before the Playoffs, that is fine, as long as he has given the assurance before the auction and not just before the start of the season.  The franchises pick players to balance their team so as to go on to win the IPL trophy. Therefore, to lose any player just before the Playoffs is certainly not cricket. 

“Each player signs a contract with the franchise where all these clauses and conditions are laid out. There is little ambiguity in the clauses or anything that allows either party to take advantage of each other through a mischievous interpretation of any clause.”

Should the England players leave IPL 2024 early as rumoured, then Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders will be without Jos Buttler and Phil Salt respectively. Chennai Super Kings will also be without Moeen Ali, who is a part of the Three Lions’ T20WC squad.

If you’ve not downloaded the Cricket.com app yet, you’re missing out — big time. Play Fantasy on Cricket.com NOW! Download the App here.