IPL eases replacement rules as Overton, Fraser-McGurk withdraw

NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League on Wednesday allowed temporary replacements for the remainder of the tournament to allow franchises to fill open spots due to withdrawals of overseas players.

The IPL will restart on Saturday after it was paused due to the India-Pakistan conflict and the new dates clash with international commitments for several players. England´s Jamie Overton (Chennai Super Kings) and Australia batter Jake Fraser-McGurk (Delhi Capitals) have decided to miss the latter stages of the tournament, which will conclude on June 3. “Given the non-availability of certain foreign players due to national commitments or personal reasons or any injury or illness, Temporary Replacement Players will be allowed until the conclusion of this tournament,” the league said in a memo to franchises seen by AFP.

“This decision is subject to the condition that the Temporary Replacement players taken from this point forward will not be eligible for retention in the following year. “Temporary Replacement players will have to register for the IPL Player Auction 2026.” Overton, a bowling all-rounder, is part of the England white-ball team that will face the West Indies at home starting with a three-match ODI series on May 29.

Fraser-McGurk has pulled out due to “personal reasons” and Delhi have signed Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman in his place. Delhi are also waiting for Australia´s left-arm quick Mitchell Starc to return. The Capitals are also waiting on the availability of South African pair Faf du Plessis and Tristan Stubbs.

Stubbs is part of the South Africa squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia starting June 11 at Lord´s. Proteas coach Shukri Conrad said Tuesday that he still expects his players to join up with the national side on May 26, the day after the original date of the IPL final.