The issue of foreign players opting for partial participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has once again stirred controversy ahead of the 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi. Despite the league’s global standing, several overseas stars have registered with limited availability, prioritizing non-national commitments over the full tournament duration. This trend has drawn sharp criticism from former India captain Sunil Gavaskar. Gavaskar issued a strongly worded directive that teams should not waste a single second bidding on individuals who do not commit to the league in its entirety.
Sunil Gavaskar warns overseas players with tough message ahead of IPL 2026 auction
Gavaskar called out foreign players who make themselves available for only a limited period of the IPL season, asserting that this practice shows a fundamental lack of respect for the world’s premier T20 competition. Writing in his Mid-Day column, Gavaskar stated that individuals who prioritize non-national duties over the IPL should not even be allowed to feature in the auction pool. He minced no words in delivering his stinging message:
“There are some players who have made themselves available for a limited period. Frankly, if a player doesn’t show respect to the IPL and make himself available for the full tournament, he shouldn’t even be in the auction.”
Gavaskar emphasized that any commitment other than playing for one’s country is insufficient justification for missing parts of the season:
“If something other than a national commitment is more important to him, then not one second of the auction should be wasted on him. The IPL is the best T20 league in the world, and anybody taking it lightly should not be considered at all.”
Gavaskar’s commentary reflects a growing frustration within the Indian cricket community regarding the perceived casual approach of some overseas players toward their lucrative IPL contracts.
IPL franchises facing problems ahead of 2026 mini auction
Gavaskar’s comments were directly influenced by the situation surrounding Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, who has registered for the 2026 auction with a base price of INR 2 crore despite confirming his availability will be restricted. Inglis was released by the Punjab Kings (PBKS) after the 2025 season, a decision head coach Ricky Ponting attributed to the player’s limited availability, reportedly due to his wedding schedule.
The Australian’s case highlights the complex logistics facing franchises, which commit significant financial resources to players who may only be available for a fraction of the matches. This issue is compounded by historical mid-season withdrawals; during the postponed IPL 2025, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc and batter Jake Fraser-McGurk both pulled out due to safety concerns related to the India-Pakistan hostilities. Furthermore, the overseas contingent is already affected by players like retiring South African star Faf du Plessis, who chose to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) instead of the IPL, and Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who removed his name entirely from the IPL 2026 auction pool.
