In a significant move ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly introduced a partial replacement rule, allowing franchises to bring in temporary stand-ins under specific conditions.
This rule is particularly aimed at addressing unexpected wicketkeeper shortages, ensuring that teams do not face setbacks due to injuries or national commitments.
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New Rule for Temporary Wicketkeeper Replacements
Previously, IPL teams were required to make permanent replacements for injured or unavailable players. However, under the newly implemented rule for IPL 2025, franchises will be allowed to sign short-term wicketkeeper replacements if they meet the following conditions:
✅ If all registered wicketkeepers in a squad are unavailable, a team can request a temporary replacement from the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP)—a list of unsold players from the IPL 2025 auction.
✅ The replacement must be an Indian player, even if the unavailable wicketkeeper is an overseas cricketer.
✅ The temporary replacement will remain in the squad only until one of the original wicketkeepers regains fitness or returns, after which the stand-in player must be released.
✅ The replacement must be signed before the franchise’s 12th match of the season.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, the BCCI introduced this rule recognizing the crucial role of wicketkeepers in T20 cricket. With teams often struggling due to last-minute injuries or national duty, this move is expected to provide greater strategic flexibility.
Clarification on Season-Long Replacements
Alongside the special wicketkeeper rule, the BCCI has reiterated the conditions under which a player can be permanently replaced for the rest of the season:
🔹 Season-ending injuries or illnesses, confirmed by medical experts.
🔹 National team commitments as per the Future Tours Programme (FTP).
🔹 Lack of No Objection Certificate (NOC) from a player’s home cricket board.
🔹 Retirement from all forms of professional cricket (excluding IPL-specific retirements).
IPL 2025 Kickoff: KKR vs RCB at Eden Gardens
The much-anticipated IPL 2025 season is set to begin on March 22, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
With the introduction of this new rule, IPL teams will now have additional flexibility in squad management, ensuring that unexpected setbacks don’t derail their campaigns.
It remains to be seen how this partial replacement rule will impact team strategies, but one thing is certain—IPL 2025 promises to be as thrilling as ever!
