IPL Replacement Rules has strict squad regulations, but under exceptional circumstances, teams can sign a player temporarily and later release him. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has provisions allowing partial replacements in specific scenarios, primarily concerning wicketkeepers. Additionally, a Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP) exists to facilitate player replacements.

Special Exemptions for Wicketkeepers

According to IPL rules, a franchise cannot sign a replacement player for a temporarily unavailable squad member unless one of the following conditions is met:

• Wicketkeeper Shortage: If all designated wicketkeepers in a team’s registered squad are unavailable for a match, the franchise can request an exemption from the BCCI. In such cases, the BCCI may permit a short-term replacement from outside the squad until one of the regular wicketkeepers becomes available.
• If the absent wicketkeeper is an overseas player and the team has already reached its limit of eight overseas players, the replacement must be an Indian player.

While this rule exists, no franchise has reportedly utilized it in IPL history.

Other Replacement Criteria

Apart from the wicketkeeper provision, the IPL replacement policy allows teams to replace a player under these Conditions

1. Season-Ending Injury or Illness
   • The injury/illness occurs on or before the team’s 12th league match.
   • A BCCI-nominated doctor confirms it as a season-ending condition.
   • The player would have been available for the entire season if not for the injury.
   • The replacement player permanently replaces the injured player for the season.
2. Full Season Unavailability
   • A player can be replaced only if he is unavailable for the entire season due to:
     • International commitments (FTP obligations)
     • No-objection certificate (NOC) issues from national or state boards
     • Medical reasons (certified by a BCCI-approved doctor)
     • Retirement from all professional cricket (domestic and international)
     • Any other valid reason approved by the BCCI

Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP)

The RAPP system ensures fair replacement processes. Players eligible for replacement selection must meet these criteria:

• The player was part of the IPL auction but remained unsold.
• The player did not withdraw from the auction process.
• Net bowlers contracted by franchises cannot be given priority unless they sign as a replacement for another team.

Salary Cap and Contract Terms for Replacements

• A replacement player’s salary cannot exceed that of the unavailable player.
• The final payment is adjusted based on the number of matches left in the season at the time of signing.
• Replacement player salaries are exempt from the team’s salary cap for that season.
• If the replacement’s contract is extended, the salary is counted against the cap for the following season.

Approval Process for Replacements Players

• Franchises must submit all replacement requests to the BCCI and receive approval before finalizing a deal.
• Replacement signings can only occur after the IPL auction.
• Teams must ensure they comply with squad composition rules while making replacements.

Conclusion

While IPL teams generally sign players for the entire season, exceptions exist for emergency replacements, particularly for wicketkeepers and injured players. The RAPP system ensures transparency in player selection, maintaining competitive balance throughout the tournament.