England Test captain Ben Stokes has decided to skip the upcoming 2025 and 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons due to changes in IPL rules that make overseas players ineligible for the following season if they miss the auction.
Stoke's decision to withdraw from the November IPL auction reflects his commitment to England’s international cricket schedule, particularly focusing on Test and white-ball formats.
Stokes' Absence from the 2025 IPL auction
Stokes’ absence from the auction is notable, as 52 English players have registered for the November 2025 auction, which is expected to attract significant attention.
The 33-year-old’s decision makes him ineligible for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons under the new IPL rule. Instead, Stokes will concentrate on maintaining his form for England’s upcoming Test series and white-ball commitments.
In contrast to Stokes, former England bowler James Anderson and pacer Jofra Archer have both registered for the auction. Anderson, at 42, retired from international cricket in July 2023 but has decided to enter the IPL auction despite not having played T20 cricket since 2014. Anderson has also never participated in any global T20 league, making his participation in the auction unique and intriguing.
Jofra Archer to make a comeback
Jofra Archer, 29, who was the IPL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2020, has also registered for the auction as he looks to make a comeback following a series of injuries to his back and elbow.
Archer has returned to competitive cricket in 2023, focusing on white-ball formats, and although he remains a hopeful candidate for England’s Test squad next summer, the IPL 2025 schedule may conflict with the early rounds of the County Championship, which could limit his availability for the national team.
IPL's new rule on overseas player withdrawal
The IPL’s new rule, introduced this year, prevents overseas players who withdraw from the auction after signing a contract from returning for the next two seasons. With the 2025 IPL season likely overlapping with England’s domestic County Championship, English players will face the challenge of balancing franchise commitments with their international duties.
There is a window between March’s Champions Trophy and a Test series against Zimbabwe in May 2025, offering some England players the chance to participate in the IPL.
The IPL auction for 2025 has attracted 1,574 players, though the final list of participants has not yet been released. In the coming weeks, IPL franchises will finalize their picks. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has not yet disclosed which centrally contracted players will be part of the auction pool. Notably, no England players, including white-ball captain Jos Buttler, were retained by IPL franchises this season.
Jos Buttler's return to the England squad
Jos Buttler, who is recovering from a calf injury, has joined England’s training camp in Barbados and aims to return for the T20 series against the West Indies. Buttler, who has kept wicket in 106 of his last 108 T20s for England, will step aside for Phil Salt to take over wicketkeeping duties as part of England’s strategy to refresh their white-ball squad.
Stokes’ absence from the IPL highlights his dedication to national commitments, leaving the spotlight on veterans like Anderson and Archer, who are poised to play key roles in an eventful IPL 2025 season.