The Indian Premier League franchises are facing uncertainty over the availability of England players for the playoffs, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) continues discussions with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to find a solution.
Despite efforts to reach a resolution, there has been no definitive answer yet. The ECB has made it clear that players selected for the T20 World Cup will return for national duty against Pakistan starting on May 22, potentially ruling them out of the IPL playoffs.
Franchises are anxiously awaiting official updates, with contingency plans being considered in case the England players are unavailable after May 17. Rajasthan Royals’ bowling coach Shane Bond expressed concern over the potential absence of Jos Buttler, highlighting the impact it could have on the team.
In addition to Buttler, other England players such as Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Jonny Bairstow are also part of the T20 World Cup squad, further complicating the situation for IPL franchises.
Meanwhile, the BCCI is set to discuss the retention model for IPL 2025 with franchises post this season. With the mega auction expected to take place in mid-December, discussions around the number of retained players and other key issues are on the agenda.
As the IPL playoffs draw closer, the uncertainty surrounding the availability of England players adds an extra layer of intrigue to the competition, with franchises and fans eagerly awaiting clarity on the situation.