Sunil Gavaskar Critiques Overseas Players in IPL 2026 for Lack of Commitment
Gavaskar's Concerns Over Player Roles
Sunil Gavaskar, the former captain of India and a renowned commentator, has voiced his discontent regarding the commitment of overseas players in the ongoing IPL 2026. With the tournament's 19th season currently in progress, 12 matches have been played, leaving seven more in the first phase before the next round begins.
This season, a total of 78 international players were anticipated to participate, but several, including Ben Duckett, Sam Curran, and Nathan Ellis, have withdrawn due to national responsibilities and injuries. Meanwhile, players like Pat Cummins from Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mitchell Starc from Delhi Capitals, and Matheesha Pathirana from Kolkata Knight Riders are uncertain about their fitness, pending mandatory tests.
Cameron Green Under Fire
Cameron Green's performance has come under scrutiny as he has only managed to score 24 runs in three matches, raising questions about his bowling capabilities despite being acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 25.2 crore.
Gavaskar's Critique of Excuses
Gavaskar has sharply criticized the excuses made by overseas players regarding their limited participation in IPL 2026. He stated that claiming franchises were 'informed beforehand' is not a valid justification, emphasizing that top players should fully commit to their teams regardless of national duties.
In his column for Sportsstar, Gavaskar highlighted the importance of national representation but insisted that franchises deserve complete dedication from players, given their substantial investments.
He questioned the rationale behind players not being able to bowl in matches if they have practiced without issues, stating, 'If they have bowled a similar number of deliveries in practice without issue, what is stopping them from doing so in the game?'
Financial Implications for Cricket Boards
Gavaskar pointed out that the IPL serves as a lucrative source of revenue for national cricket boards, with a portion of auction fees allocated to them through No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
He noted that in recent seasons, Australian players have been bought for a total of Rs. 121.65 crore, while England players fetched Rs. 68 crore, and New Zealand players over Rs. 33 crore. The financial benefits extend to players from South Africa and the West Indies as well.
He remarked, 'Each cricket board is making a tidy sum just to issue an email saying they have no objection to their player playing in the IPL.'
Call for BCCI Intervention
Gavaskar has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to implement stricter regulations for overseas players, ensuring their availability from the tournament's start unless on national duty. He believes this will protect franchise investments and uphold the IPL's competitive integrity.
'The time has come for the franchises to get tough and demand some bang for the buck they are giving the player,' he stated.
He suggested that the BCCI should consider imposing bans on players who do not fulfill their roles from the beginning of the tournament, similar to previous actions taken against players who withdrew after being auctioned.
Consequences for Withdrawals
Ben Duckett, who withdrew after being selected by Delhi Capitals, may face a two-year ban from the IPL due to the league's regulations regarding withdrawals without valid reasons. This could prevent him from participating until 2029. Similarly, Harry Brook, who also withdrew, will miss two seasons under the same rule, with his ban lifting in 2027.