BCCI Introduces New Rules for IPL Auctions Restricting Overseas Player Fees

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled transformative regulations impacting the payment structure of overseas players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions. This development follows the historic auction of 2024, where Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc became the highest bid player in the T20 league’s history, picked by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 24.75 crore.

In light of the recent changes proposed by the BCCI, scenarios similar to Starc’s remarkable auction fee would no longer occur. For the upcoming IPL 2025 auction, the BCCI has introduced a rule that prevents overseas players from earning more than the maximum salary secured by a player in the mega auction.

Ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, BCCI’s new regulation requires overseas players to enlist themselves in the mega auction if they wish to participate in the IPL 2026 and IPL 2027 seasons. This move aims to level the economic playing field, ensuring overseas players do not exploit the mini-auction market, where player demand can inflate prices unreasonably. However, exceptions exist for cases where overseas players face injuries or medical conditions, verified by their respective home boards.

The remuneration of overseas players in subsequent mini-auctions will be capped based on the highest player retention fee or the price achieved by a player in the mega-auction, whichever is lower. To illustrate, should Virat Kohli be retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for INR 18 crore and another player fetched INR 15 crore during the mega auction, overseas players in the mini-auction would not be eligible to earn more than INR 15 crore.

In the event where Deepak Chahar commands a mega auction price of INR 20 crore, the cap for overseas players would be INR 18 crore, aligning with Kohli’s retention fee. This system aims to prevent financial disparities while maintaining competitive integrity across the auction process.

Furthermore, any amount exceeding the designated salary cap for overseas players deemed at the auction will be directed to the BCCI’s treasury, not the players. This measure introduces a strategic balance aimed at sustainable spending by franchises and transparency within the leagues’ financial ecosystem.