As the IPL 2026 gears up, early concerns are already surfacing, not about performance but player availability. Several overseas stars are set to miss the initial matches, and it hasn’t gone down well with former India captain Sunil Gavaskar.
A few big names from Australia – Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, will not be available for the first three games due to fitness concerns. Reports suggest that Cricket Australia has managed their workload carefully after a packed schedule. Meanwhile, Lockie Ferguson from Punjab Kings will also miss a few matches to spend time with his newborn child.
Reacting strongly, Sunil Gavaskar expressed frustration over what he sees as a recurring issue with overseas players. He pointed out that some players tend to take the IPL franchises lightly, especially when they skip matches for personal reasons that were not communicated earlier.
He explained that the franchises often go the extra mile, taking care of players and even covering expenses for their families, out of goodwill. However, according to him, this generosity is sometimes misunderstood as an entitlement, leading to players taking undue advantage.
Sunil Gavaskar further warned that such last-minute absences can seriously disrupt team planning. When the franchises build squads, they do so with a clear strategy in mind. But if players choose to join late or skip matches without prior notice, it throws those plans into disarray.
He urged team owners to take a stricter stand. In his view, unless the franchises begin dropping unavailable players, this pattern will continue and hamper their chances of winning the title.
With the tournament about to begin, Sunil Gavaskar’s comments highlight a growing concern, balancing player flexibility with team commitment in one of the world’s biggest cricket leagues.
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