IPL 2025 Rules: What are the new player replacement rules formed by BCCI ahead of new season?

Cricket’s biggest summer carnival, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to begin in just under a week. Ahead of the two-month long tournament, there are several injury issues which have cropped up. The latest injury casualty is Umran Malik who has been ruled out of the season due to injury. Malik, was picked up by current IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the coming season. 

Chetan Sakariya who had made a huge splash with the ball in the IPL 2021 season has been drafted as the replacement. The 27-year-old first played for Rajasthan Royals and then earned a spot in the national side later that year. Mumbai Indians (MI) have already signed Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman as a replacement for Allah Ghazanfar. Corbin Bosch has been drafted in by MI to replace Lizaad Williams. 

Apart from the aforementioned changes, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have roped in Wiaan Mulder as a replacement player. The South African star joins SRH for Brydon Carse who has been ruled out due to injury. This year the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has amended a few rules as far as the player replacements in the IPL. 

What are the new player replacement rules for IPL 2025?

The BCCI has allowed teams to announce replacements in case a player has suffered a season long injury or other health related issues. In such a scenario, any team can announce a replacement player for the entire season. If any player gets injured during the course of the season then the teams can look for a replacement before the 12th match of the campaign. 

The rule also state that the player who is coming as the replacement must be from Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP). Apart from this a doctor appointed by the BCCI must also certify that the player has suffered an injury before the replacement can be sought. If a player regains his fitness after being ruled out, he cannot be part of the campaign again. 

If any player who is part of the RAPP is acting as a net bowler for a franchise, the player in question is free to sign for any team. For instance, Shardul Thakur who is part of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as a net bowler could sign for Mumbai Indians (MI) if the need arises. 

How much money will a replacement player earn?

As per the rules, the fee paid to a replacement player shouldn’t be lesser than his already set reserve base price in the RAPP pool. Yet another interesting rule is that a player who has been signed as a replacement, isn’t eligible to earn more than the player he has come in for. In the case of a player being signed in mid-season, his match fees will be based on the matches left in the season. Also the teams must remember that they are allowed to have a maximum of 25 players in their squad. 

Frequently asked questions

When can a team sign a replacement player? 

In terms of a replacement player, a franchise can sign him before the start of the season or till the 12th game of the season. If a player gets injured during the season, then a BCCI appointed doctor has to give his approval before teams can seek replacement players. In such a case a team can get a replacement before the 12th game of the IPL season. 

What happens if a player gets injured ahead of the playoffs?

No replacements can be signed since the rules clearly state the cut-off period is the 12th game of the IPL season. If a player gets injured post this cut-off then the team has to play with the squad that they have at that point in the season. 

Who are the replacement players signed ahead of IPL 2025?

Kolkata Knight Riders 

Chetan Sakariya comes in for Umran Malik

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Wiaan Mulder comes in for Brydon Carse

Mumbai Indians 

Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman comes in for Allah Ghazanfar

Corbin Bosch comes in for Lizaad Williams.