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England’s Test captain Ben Stokes and star batter Joe Root have made the decision to skip the 2025 IPL mega auction. This marks their absence from the Indian Premier League for a second consecutive season. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed this news with the release of the player registration list. As a result, Stokes will be ineligible to participate in the IPL until 2027.
New BCCI Regulations To Put Root and Stokes Out of IPL
The recent decision stems from a newly implemented BCCI regulation. This rule states that any overseas player who fails to register for the mega auction will be ineligible for the following year’s player auction. This change directly impacts Stokes’ eligibility, sidelining him from future auctions.
Stokes and Root’s absence highlights a significant shift in BCCI’s auction policies. Historically, overseas players like Stokes had the flexibility to skip mega auctions and re-enter through mini auctions. This often allowed them to secure lucrative contracts later on. Notably, Stokes himself benefited from this practice in previous years.
In 2022, after opting out of the mega auction, he rejoined the IPL in 2023. During that mini-auction, he fetched a hefty bid of ₹16.25 crore from Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Since his debut season in 2017 with Rising Pune Supergiant, where he was signed for ₹14.25 crore, Stokes has remained a high-value asset in the IPL marketplace.
BCCI’s Commitment to Player Accountability
The BCCI’s tightened regulations aim to prevent top players from strategically skipping mega auctions only to re-enter later at potentially higher bids. The board stated, “Any overseas player will have to register for the Big Auction. In case the overseas player doesn’t register, then he will be ineligible to register in the following year’s player auction.”
Additionally, the BCCI has mandated that any player who withdraws post-auction will face a two-year IPL ban. This underscores the league’s aim to ensure commitment from players once contracts are signed. The policy signals a push towards consistency and dependability within franchise rosters.
How Long Will Ben Stokes and Joe Root be Out?
While both Stokes and Root’s absence will be felt in the league, they are expected to be eligible for IPL 2027. However, their return will need to occur through a mini auction format as per current regulations. The upcoming mega auction is set to take place in Jeddah on November 24-25, 2025.
The new rules are likely to significantly influence both franchises and players. This marks a pivotal evolution in IPL auction dynamics, as teams may need to adjust their strategies accordingly.
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