India great Sunil Gavaskar urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to implement stricter punishment for players who pull out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) without valid reasons after being picked in the auction.
Currently, the BCCI imposes a two-year ban on players who make last-minute withdrawals from the IPL, but Gavaskar feels it is not enough.
Gavaskar’s remarks came after Ben Duckett pulled out of the IPL after being roped in by Delhi Capitals for 2 crores, citing workload management. The India legend said that Duckett was bought at a very good price at the Hundred, and it made it easier for him to skip the IPL.
“It is a tough one. Clearly, Ben Duckett had a very good Ashes series, and if he had not been bought for the amount he was at The Hundred auction, maybe things would have been different. One can understand that, having been bought at a very good price in The Hundred, he was probably quite happy to miss this and say he wants to focus on his England Test career,” Gavaskar told India Today.
“But yes, what should be done is something for the BCCI to think about as well, because a two-year ban is obviously not working. You have to look at something that will have an impact. As long as it’s not having an impact on the player and his chances of coming back to the IPL, it won’t work,” he added.
Duckett’s move now means that he won’t be able to play IPL for two seasons. He joins Harry Brook in the list of England players serving a two-year IPL ban. Earlier, Harry Brook pulled out of IPL 2025 after being bought for Rs 6.25.
Why Last Minute Withdraws Are Harsh
The players have exploited the BCCI rule. There have been instances where players have been bought for low paycheques, resulting in their withdrawals, citing other reasons. It is convenient for certain players to enter the auction and then take a call to play or not. The BCCI stayed lenient on the issue for long, but the two-year ban was seen as a welcome step. Despite this, there have been instances where players have pulled out. The last-minute withdrawals disrupt the balance of the squad, and it is so unfair to the team, even though they have an option to pick a replacement. With voices raising, the BCCI might well revisit the call and impose a stricter penalty.