Sunil Gavaskar has launched a sharp attack on overseas players who pull out of the IPL at the last minute after being signed by franchises, saying some of them cite injury or other excuses only to return to domestic cricket soon after. The batting legend believes the BCCI was right to act firmly, especially after repeated instances of players backing out after entering the auction.

Welcoming the board’s reported two-year ban on players who register for the IPL auction, get picked, and then withdraw without a genuine reason, Gavaskar said stronger discipline is badly needed.

“The BCCI’s ban for two years on those who enter the auction and, after being picked, then withdraw at the last moment, not for injury but brownie points with their local media, is another good move,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote in his Sportstar column.

He also said the punishment should extend to players who arrive in the IPL, fail to secure regular games and then suddenly claim injury before heading home, only to play domestic cricket while the tournament is still going on.

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“They should also ban those who come to the IPL and, when they find they aren’t being picked regularly, feign an injury and return home and then play in their domestic cricket even while the IPL is still going on.”

Gavaskar further argued that many overseas cricketers do not take their IPL commitments as seriously as they should, even after agreeing to be available before the auction.

“Plenty of overseas players take the IPL for granted and sometimes, in connivance with their Boards, make some excuse and not play in the full tournament as they agreed before they entered the auction,” he wrote. The former India captain also stressed the financial strain on franchises, which are often left with little time to find replacements when a player withdraws late.

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“The franchise cannot go running around for a replacement at this late hour, and so has no option but to wait for the Board to release the player. Remember, the Boards get 10% of the player fee, not from the player. This is an additional cost to the franchise, and that is why it is important for BCCI to be firm and ensure this does not happen,” he added.

Gavaskar concluded by saying the IPL must demand full commitment, with no room for compromise. In his view, the league has transformed careers and created wealth, and players as well as boards should honour that responsibility.