Sunil Gavaskar, former India captain, has called on Indian Premier League (IPL) team owners to take strict action against overseas players who arrive late to the tournament. With the IPL 2026 edition set to begin on March 28, uncertainty surrounds the arrival dates of some key overseas stars. Cricket Australia has confirmed that Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins will miss the early stages of the tournament due to workload management.
Hazlewood and Cummins have been sidelined with injuries for months, while Starc, although having played in the Ashes, has not been in competitive action since January 2026. Gavaskar criticized the last-minute nature of player availability, warning that it could disrupt the franchise’s entire season.
The 1983 World Cup winner highlighted the issue of overseas players taking the franchises for granted, stressing the need for owners to be firm in their approach. Gavaskar emphasized the importance of effective squad planning and player commitment for a successful IPL campaign.
The IPL 2026 season is scheduled to kick off on March 28, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Sunrisers Hyderabad in the tournament opener. Despite the challenges posed by player absences, Gavaskar remains optimistic about the excitement and competitiveness the IPL will bring. Several players, including Sam Curran, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, and Matheesha Pathirana, will miss part of the season due to injuries.
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