The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced new rules for player replacements ahead of the IPL 2025 season. These updates outline specific conditions under which teams can temporarily or permanently replace players, ensuring a structured approach to handling injuries and player unavailability. Franchises such as Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mumbai Indians (MI), and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)—which have faced frequent player changes in previous seasons—are expected to be significantly affected by these regulations.

Key Rules for Player Replacement in IPL 2025

1. Partial Replacement

A player can be temporarily replaced in two scenarios:

• Wicketkeeper Unavailability:
  

  If all wicketkeepers in a team become unavailable, the franchise can request BCCI’s approval to include a temporary wicketkeeper. This replacement will be allowed to play only until the team’s regular wicketkeeper returns.

• Season-Ending Injury or Illness:
  If a player suffers an injury or illness that rules him out for the entire season, the team may replace him. However, the following conditions must be met:

  • The injury or illness must occur on or before the 12th league match of the season.
  • A BCCI-nominated doctor must confirm that the player cannot recover in time for the season.
  • The player must have been available for the entire season if not for the injury.

2. Full-Season Replacement

If a player is unavailable for the entire season, a team can replace him permanently under certain conditions:

• National Team Commitments: The player is called up for international duty.
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) Issues: The player does not receive an NOC from his home board.
• Injury or Illness: The player is medically ruled out for the season.
• Retirement: The player retires from all formats of cricket (not just the IPL).
• BCCI-Approved Reasons: Any other reason accepted by the BCCI.

Once replaced, the original player cannot return to play for the team in the same season.

3. RAPP – Registered Available Player Pool

To regulate replacements, the BCCI has introduced the RAPP system (Registered Available Player Pool), which includes:

• Unsold auction players who did not withdraw from the auction.
• Net bowlers who are not contracted but can be approved as replacements by the BCCI.

Teams must select replacement players from this pre-approved pool.

4. Additional Substitution Rules

• Only one replacement is allowed per unavailable player.
• The replacement player's salary cannot be less than his base price in the auction.
• If a team has already filled its quota of 8 foreign players, the replacement must be Indian.
• Players replaced due to injury or illness cannot return for the rest of the season.

Impact on IPL Teams

These new guidelines will significantly impact CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, and other franchises that frequently face injury-related squad changes. The clear framework ensures fair competition, prevents last-minute uncertainties, and helps teams plan effectively.

With IPL 2025 approaching, these replacement policies will influence team strategies, making squad depth and backup options more critical than ever. The RAPP system ensures that every team has equal access to available replacements, maintaining competitive balance throughout the tournament.

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