The IPL 2025 is all set to begin in a few days, with the first match taking place on March 22 (Saturday) between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Ahead of the start of the 18th edition of the mega tournament, the BCCI has introduced a new rule that can be game-changing for the franchises. Franchises can now sign temporary replacements, even for just one match, but it comes with certain conditions.

Earlier, if the franchises had to replace a player who got injured or pulled out mid-season, then players had to replace him, and had to keep him in the squad for the rest of the season at least. However, now, according to a report by Cricbuzz, the BCCI has brought a unique rule where a franchise can sign a temporary replacement for only a certain period of time, but the rule in only applicable for wicketkeepers.

If a franchise loses all the wicketkeepers in the squad, then they will be allowed to select a wicketkeeper unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, who matches the base price of the player out injured. This franchise will have the option to keep this wicketkeeper in the squad till one of the original players becomes fit, and then release him. This replacement player can only be an Indian, even if the players the replace are overseas buys.

The Cricbuzz report also states that the BCCI is set to create a Registered Available Player Pool from the unsold players in the IPL 2025 auction. The teams have been communicated, that if they need to a replacement, that have to select a player from this pool only.

The players can only replace a player in the squad if he is injured or leaves due to personal reasons or national duty before the 12th match of the franchise.

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