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There is a threat of ban from BCCI, still foreign players are throwing tantrums, PBKS owners are angry

Samira Vishwas | May 24, 2026 10:24 PM CST

Punjab Kings (PBKS) co-owner Mohit Burman has termed the availability of foreign players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a sensitive issue. He has said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), foreign boards and other stakeholders can make better efforts to ensure that players from other countries are available throughout the duration of the world’s biggest T20 league.

BCCI has imposed a two-year ban on those foreign players who withdraw from IPL after being bought in the auction. However, the board has given relaxation in the case of injured players. Despite this, the availability of foreign players, especially star players, remains a problem.

Australian players arrived late to play IPL

Mitchell Starc was allowed by Cricket Australia to play in the second half of the tournament and by then the Delhi Capitals team was almost out of the race for the playoffs. Australian captain Pat Cummins and his fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood were also not available for their respective IPL teams from the first day of the tournament due to injuries.

Burman told news agency PTI, ‘This is a sensitive issue because the schedule of international cricket is very busy and players also have commitments towards their national boards. But whenever a player is selected in the franchise team, there should be clarity about his availability.

Difficulty in preparing strategy

Barman said, ‘When key players are not available for important parts of the tournament despite being selected in the auction, it becomes difficult for the team to formulate its strategy.’ Barman, who holds 48 percent stake in the PBKS franchise, said, ‘Fans want to see key players playing from the beginning of the season. The solution should be found through cooperation instead of confrontation. BCCI, franchises, players and international boards should prepare better.

He said, ‘The ideal situation for me would be that our players are available from day one, but if the cricket board has decided some things among themselves, then we cannot do anything special.’