The 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to kick off on March 22, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens. However, even before the first ball is bowled, the tournament has already seen major changes in player replacement rules and multiple roster swaps.
With franchises making key substitutions, including Chetan Sakariya replacing Umran Malik for KKR, fans and analysts are debating the impact of these alterations. The biggest controversy surrounds Corbin Bosch’s move to Mumbai Indians (MI) after being previously registered for Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which has led to legal action from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
What’s New in IPL 2025 Player Replacement Rules?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced significant modifications to the player replacement policy for IPL 2025, extending the replacement window and refining the eligibility criteria.
Key Changes:
- Extended Replacement Window: Teams can now sign replacements until their 12th league fixture, compared to the 7th match in previous seasons.
- Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP): Franchises must choose replacements from this list, which consists of unsold players from the IPL auction.
- Cost Restrictions: The replacement player’s contract cannot exceed the amount paid to the injured/unavailable player during the auction.
- Mid-Season Injury Replacements: Teams can replace a player who suffers a season-ending injury or illness, provided:
- The injury occurs on or before the 12th league match of the team.
- A BCCI-appointed doctor confirms the injury is season-ending.
- The injured player was otherwise fit to play the full season.
- The replacement process is approved by the BCCI post-auction.
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Where Can IPL 2025 Teams Sign Replacement Players From?
- Teams can only pick replacements from the RAPP list, which includes players who registered for the IPL auction but remained unsold.
- While teams may have players as net bowlers, they cannot stop them from joining another franchise if approached for a replacement role.
Mid-Season Player Replacements – What You Need to Know
- A player who has already played in a league match can still be replaced if they suffer a confirmed season-ending injury.
- Once a player is replaced due to injury, they cannot return for the remainder of the season.
- The BCCI must approve all paperwork before a replacement is officially signed.
Can a Player Be Signed for Just One Match?
- Generally, no, but there is one exception:
- If all wicketkeepers in a squad are unavailable, a team can request a short-term replacement.
- The BCCI can approve a temporary wicketkeeper-only replacement until one of the squad’s specialist keepers recovers.
- If the unavailable keeper is an overseas player and the team has already filled its quota of 8 overseas players, the replacement must be a domestic player.
Confirmed IPL 2025 Replacement Signings So Far
- Chetan Sakariya (KKR) replaces Umran Malik
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman (MI) replaces Allah Ghazanfar
- Wiaan Mulder (SRH) replaces Brydon Carse
- Corbin Bosch (MI) replaces Lizaad Williams (Amid PSL contract controversy)
The Corbin Bosch Controversy – What Happened?
Mumbai Indians’ signing of Corbin Bosch has sparked legal trouble. The South African all-rounder was already registered with Peshawar Zalmi (PSL 2025) when MI signed him. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now considering legal action against Bosch for breaching his PSL contract.
This move has intensified discussions around overlapping T20 leagues, contractual obligations, and whether players should be allowed to sign with multiple leagues simultaneously.
Final Thoughts & What to Expect
With IPL 2025’s new replacement rules, teams now have more flexibility to cover injuries and unavailable players. However, the Corbin Bosch controversy highlights the complexities of modern T20 cricket contracts.
As the season unfolds, keep an eye on further replacements and potential mid-season injuries that could shape the tournament’s dynamics.
What’s Your Take?
Do you think IPL’s new replacement rules give teams an unfair advantage? Should leagues enforce stricter player contract regulations? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
