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IPL's New Rule: Overseas Stars Face Salary Cap
16 Dec
Summary
- Overseas player salaries in IPL are capped at INR 18 crore.
- Excess bid amounts go to BCCI's player welfare fund.
- Indian players are exempt from this salary cap.
As the IPL 2026 mini auction commences, a significant rule change now caps overseas player salaries at a maximum of INR 18 crore. This new regulation, enforced by the IPL governing council, ensures financial discipline and aims to prevent excessive inflation during bidding wars. Franchises will continue to pay the full bid amount, but any sum exceeding the INR 18 crore limit will be diverted to the BCCI's player welfare fund, a measure introduced to promote sustainability in spending.
This cap, which was initially implemented for the IPL 2025 mega auction, has now been extended to mini auctions. It aligns with the highest retention slab from the previous mega auction, maintaining a consistent maximum for international stars. The BCCI's decision addresses concerns about fairness and runaway spending that have emerged in recent seasons, particularly with overseas fast bowlers and all-rounders attracting inflated prices due to limited availability.
Crucially, the INR 18 crore salary ceiling applies solely to overseas players. Indian cricketers are completely exempt from this rule and will receive the full value of their winning bids, irrespective of the amount. This distinction ensures that domestic talent is not impacted by the new financial controls designed to stabilize the league's economic landscape.
