New IPL Rule Bars Three Veteran Players From Entering 2026 Auction
BCCI’s new IPL rules bar Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, and Jason Roy from entering the IPL 2026 auction. Here’s why the three international stars are disqualified under the updated regulations.
Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, and Jason Roy have been ruled out of the IPL 2026 auction due to BCCI’s new eligibility and withdrawal rules.
In the upcoming IPL 2026 mini auction, which is set to take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, there will be 77 available slots after a total of 173 players were retained by the ten franchises in a joint decision. However, the BCCI's new regulatory rules have made it impossible for three top international cricketers to be a part of the auction process.
BCCI's Revamped Rules
The BCCI laid down two crucial rules about overseas player eligibility that would affect their participation in IPL 2025 mega auction:
1. Foreign Players' Compulsory Registration
Each and every overseas player should register for the mega auction. Non-compliance will lead to automatic disqualification from the auction of the next season.
2. Withdrawals at Auction Penalty of Two Years
A player who withdraws after being sold in the auction will receive a two-year ban during which he will not be able to enter the auction or play in the IPL.
Three Stars Excluded from IPL 2026 Auction
Ben Stokes
The English Test captain Ben Stokes decided not to participate in the 2025 mega auction due to concerns about his workload. Since he did not sign up, he is now unable to take part in the IPL 2026 mini auction.
Harry Brook
Harry Brook's withdrawal from IPL 2024 was mainly his personal issue. After being getting ₹6.25 crore from the Delhi Capitals in the 2025 mega auction, he decided to prioritize international cricket and withdrew for the third time. Under the new rules, repeated withdrawals disqualify him from this year’s auction.
Jason Roy
The dynamic English opening batsman Jason Roy withdrew from IPL 2024 due to personal reasons and did not register for the mega auction of 2025. His non-attendance last year automatically excludes him from participating in the IPL 2026 auction.
The IPL 2026 auction is likely to be highly competitive as top players such as Andre Russell, Glenn Maxwell, and David Miller are still on the block but exclusion of these three experienced players has been quite a blow and it is BCCI's strict regulations that have brought about this change.
