The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the IPL Player Regulations 2025-27 ahead of the upcoming mega auction. These regulations aim to address the issue of overseas players withdrawing from the tournament after being picked in the auction.
Former England cricketer Ian Bell has weighed in on the new rules, describing them as “fair” but emphasizing the need for a balance. He believes that while it is reasonable to penalize players who fail to honor their commitments, it is also important to consider the conflict between IPL and international schedules.
“It’s a pretty fair rule. If you get picked in the auction and then you don’t come, it’s not fair to the team,” Bell said. “But it’s a balancing act because the IPL is usually at the start of the England season as well.”
According to the new regulations, any overseas player who fails to register for the Big Auction will be ineligible to participate in the following year’s auction. Additionally, any player who registers and is picked in the auction but subsequently makes himself unavailable before the start of the season will be banned from the tournament and player auction for two seasons.
Bell, who retired from cricket in 2020, has transitioned into a coaching role. He recently served as the batting coach for Sri Lanka’s national team and has also worked with England’s U-19 and Lions teams, as well as the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.
The 42-year-old expressed his desire to coach an IPL team in the future, suggesting that his affiliation with the GMR Group, which owns the Delhi Capitals, could lead to a potential opportunity.
“The IPL is the cutting edge of cricket,” Bell said. “I think I can contribute as well with my knowledge of the game. If you want to challenge yourself, then IPL is the place you want to be as a player and coach.”
