IPL 2026: 'BCCI needs to step in' – Gavaskar calls for bans on players failing to fulfill roles

Former India batter Sunil Gavaskar has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to introduce a new rule to ban players who are not able to fulfil the role they were signed for by the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. This comes after the controversy surrounding Cameron Green not getting the green light from Cricket Australia (CA) to bowl for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Gavaskar stated that if a particular player is not able to fulfil their role on the field or is not fit to compete in the IPL should just withdraw from the tournament, allowing the franchise to opt for someone else. The legendary batter is strictly against players joining an IPL team and halfheartedly contributing to the cause. 

“A bowler can bowl only four overs in a match… what is stopping them from doing so in the game? It is only fair that a player not fit from day one should withdraw and give the franchise the chance to pick someone else. To suggest that the franchise was ‘informed before’ is not a great excuse. Maybe the BCCI needs to step in and… introduce something similar for players who are not available from the first game. Don’t the franchises… deserve full commitment?” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.

It is worth mentioning that Green is not the only player who has not been permitted to bowl by CA. Both Mitchell Marsh (Lucknow Super Giants) and Cooper Connolly (Punjab Kings) have also not received the go-ahead from the Australian cricketing authority to contribute as all-rounders. 

KKR paid INR 25.20 crores to secure the services of Green in the most recent mini auction. The three-time champions see the 26-year-old as a potential replacement for Andre Russell, who retired from IPL ahead of the 2026 season. 

Green has not had the best of a start to his time in Kolkata. Having played three games, the right-hander has scored just 24 runs and has yet to bowl a single over.