The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council, meeting in Bengaluru on Saturday, made a significant change to its player regulations. A new rule states that an Indian player will lose their ‘capped’ status if they haven’t been part of the Indian national team’s starting XI in any international format (Test, ODI, or T20I) for the past five calendar years, or they do not hold a Central Contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This rule will only apply to Indian players.
The impact of this rule is particularly noteworthy for Chennai Super Kings’ former captain, MS Dhoni. His last appearance for the Indian national team was in 2019 against New Zealand, meaning he will be classified as an ‘uncapped’ player for the 2025 IPL season.
This rule change could have a ripple effect on team strategies during the IPL auction. Teams might be more inclined to consider uncapped players with potential, potentially creating opportunities for young and upcoming talent.
In other news from the IPL GC meeting, the Impact Player rule, introduced in 2023, will continue to be in place for the 2025 season. This rule allows teams to substitute one player during the game, adding a new tactical dimension to the matches.
