Dhumal: England players committed to full IPL 2024 participation, but unfortunate exit occurred

The decision of England’s T20 World Cup-bound cricketers to skip the Indian Premier League playoffs due to national commitments has sparked controversy within the cricket fraternity. Arun Dhumal, the chairman of the IPL Governing Council, expressed disappointment over the situation, stating that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had initially confirmed the players’ availability for the entire tournament.

However, a change in leadership at the ECB led to a miscommunication regarding the players’ commitments, resulting in some of the England players leaving India before the IPL league stage concluded. England’s bilateral series against Pakistan, scheduled as part of the Future Tour Programs, clashed with the IPL playoffs, leading to the players’ early departure.

Despite efforts to resolve the issue, including discussions with the ECB, the absence of key players like Jos Buttler and Phil Salt left franchises scrambling for contingency plans. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar even suggested imposing financial penalties on players leaving the tournament mid-way.

While the Impact Player rule and mid-innings substitution rule have also stirred debates among players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Dhumal emphasized the success of the IPL as a world-class league. He assured that the BCCI will consider feedback from stakeholders to address any concerns and maintain the tournament’s high standards.