IPL 2022: Country-wise availability of overseas players confirmed ahead of mega auction

As per the latest developments, the availability of Australian players for the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is subjected to few conditions. However, several other cricket boards, including England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), have approved their players’ participation for the entire season. Notably, the gala tournament is expected to get underway in the last week of March.

With two new teams – Ahmedabad and Lucknow – coming into the picture, IPL 2022 will be a 10-team affair. Hence, the number of league-stage matches will go up significantly and the availability of overseas players will be the matter of concern for the franchises. As far as England players are concerned, the ECB have given them a go ahead but the case is not the same for Aussie players.

England players available throughout the season

“After the IPL, the ECB is committed to starting the 1st WTC Test Match v New Zealand on 2 June, 2022. The player availability for all the ECB players will be through to Sunday, 29 May, 2022 (sic),” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the franchises through an e-mail, as per Cricbuzz.

It has been learnt that the English players will be available from March 28 to May 29. As per reports, the gala tournament is set to commence on March 27. As far as the Australian players are concerned, they are scheduled to travel Pakistan for a historic all-format tour in March-April. It has been learnt that some Aussie players will be available from the beginning while some will join around April 11.

Notably, Cricket Australia (CA) also wants its players to participate in the country’s primary First-Class tournament Sheffield Shield, which ends on April 4. “The State players whose team does not qualify for the Sheffield Shield Final will be available from March 27. State player whose team qualifies for the Sheffield Shield Final will be available from 5, April,” informed BCCI in the mail further.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan players will miss the IPL action from May 11 to 23 because of their two-Test away series against Bangladesh. Owing to the same, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has informed BCCI that star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will miss the IPL from May 8 to 23. However, left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahaman has been granted to take part in the entire competition.

Confirmed availability of overseas players:

England – March 28 to May 29

New Zealand – Entire Season

South Africa – Entire Season

Australia – April 11 – End of the tournament

Afghanistan – Entire Season

Sri Lanka – Unavailable from May 11 to 23

Bangladesh – Unavailable from May 8 to 23

Associate Nations – Entire Season