Two-year ban not enough: Sunil Gavaskar urges BCCI for stricter IPL withdrawal rules

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has called for stricter measures against last-minute withdrawals in the IPL, urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to revisit its current punishment system. The former India captain believes the existing two-year ban rule is not strong enough to deter players from pulling out after being picked in the auction.

Gavaskar’s remarks come in the wake of multiple high-profile withdrawals, with overseas players opting out of IPL commitments citing workload management or personal priorities. Speaking exclusively to India Today on the issue, Gavaskar highlighted how the BCCI should opt for more impactful punishments in such cases.

“It is a tough one. Clearly, Ben Duckett had a very good Ashes series, and if he had not been bought for the amount he was at The Hundred auction, maybe things would have been different. One can understand that, having been bought at a very good price in The Hundred, he was probably quite happy to miss this and say he wants to focus on his England Test career," Gavaskar said.

“But yes, what should be done is something for the BCCI to think about as well, because a two-year ban is obviously not working. You have to look at something that will have an impact. As long as it’s not having an impact on the player and his chances of coming back to the IPL, it won’t work," he added.

The IPL had introduced a rule that bars overseas players from participating in the tournament and future auctions for two seasons if they withdraw after being picked, unless the reason is a verified injury or medical condition. However, recent cases suggest that the rule may not be acting as a strong enough deterrent.

WHY DUCKETT’S IPL EXIT SPARKED DEBATE?

Ben Duckett’s withdrawal from IPL 2026 has reignited the debate around player commitment and league regulations.

The England batter, who was signed by Delhi Capitals for Rs 2 crore, opted out of the season to prioritise red-ball cricket and spend time at home. His decision came shortly after a demanding international schedule, including the Ashes and the T20 World Cup.

As per IPL rules, Duckett now faces a potential two-year ban from the league and future auctions. His case follows that of Harry Brook, who had earlier pulled out after being bought for Rs 6.25 crore and is currently serving a similar ban.

These repeated withdrawals have raised questions about whether players are taking advantage of the system, something Gavaskar had previously warned about. He has also suggested that franchises should take a tougher stance on such players in future auctions.

With the IPL continuing to attract global stars, the BCCI may now be forced to reassess its policies to ensure better accountability and commitment from overseas players.

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