Gavaskar calls for full-season commitment from overseas players
As anticipation builds for the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi, Sunil Gavaskar has delivered one of his most direct critiques yet of overseas players who enter the tournament without committing to the entire season. His comments, made while writing in his column for Mid-Day, underscored a growing frustration among stakeholders as several foreign cricketers continue to register with restricted availability.
“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. 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.”
With the mini-auction approaching, the issue has gained renewed relevance. Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis is among the most discussed names after confirming his limited availability. Released by Punjab Kings following the 2025 season due to this very concern, Inglis has now registered for the upcoming auction at a base price of ₹2 crore (approx. US$222K). Several other overseas players have also notified the BCCI about restricted availability, shaping a trend that has long frustrated coaches and franchises.
Foreign withdrawals amplify ongoing concerns
The questions raised by Gavaskar arrive in the backdrop of multiple high-profile mid-season withdrawals over recent years. Players such as Mitchell Starc and Jake Fraser-McGurk did not return to India after the IPL 2025 season was halted due to geopolitical tensions, leaving squads scrambling for replacements. Others have chosen commitments in leagues like the Pakistan Super League over the IPL, while some veteran stars have opted out entirely as they near retirement.
The recurring pattern, Gavaskar argued, disrupts team continuity and undermines the IPL’s standing. His warning signals to franchises that both reliability and attitude must factor heavily into their auction strategies this year.
A deeper concern: the auction economy and uncapped players
Beyond foreign participation, Gavaskar also used his Mid-Day column to highlight a second longstanding issue — the soaring valuations of uncapped Indian players and what he believes is a worrying imbalance in the league’s financial structure.
“Look at the initial price at which all those who went on to become great players for India were bought. They were all bought at their base prices and were thus hungry to perform and earn more. Now look at all the uncapped players bought for crores and see where they are now. Maybe there’s a lesson in that somewhere.”
In recent seasons, uncapped players have fetched eye-watering sums despite playing only short stretches of cricket. Gavaskar suggested that such rapid escalation in salaries has not always translated into long-term development or sustained performance.
He elaborated further in his critique of domestic disparities: “There is still no salary limit on an uncapped player, and so many young, fairly unknown players will be bought for sums, for playing just 16 days of cricket, that are multiple times higher than what a Ranji Trophy player earns while playing twice as many days, mostly in empty stadiums. The sad part is that most, if not all, of these youngsters bought for huge sums hardly play in the tournament and are lost to the game after a season or two.”
Ahead of the auction, the debate intensifies
With the IPL 2026 auction set for December 16 at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena, Gavaskar’s remarks add a sharp edge to ongoing debates around player availability, market inflation, and the overall direction of the tournament. His column reinforces a message he has delivered repeatedly over the years: the IPL’s success rests not only on talent, but on commitment, continuity, and respect for the competition’s stature.
As franchises prepare strategies and weigh risks, Gavaskar’s warnings may well shape the contours of one of the most closely watched auctions in recent seasons.
