Deal directly with players, IPL franchises told

The IPL has sought to reduce the influence of players' agents by asking its franchises to deal with players directly while signing them, and not through agents to ensure clarity and control over the process. The sudden influx of former ICL players to the market is believed to be one of the main reasons behind this decision.

"The rationale for this decision again was based on the problems being faced by cricketing boards around the world, where some agents have been responsible for misguiding players and the franchisees, with detrimental effects on global cricket," the IPL said. "The league will only recognize as valid, contracts signed directly between the players and franchisees."

Apparently, the league has recently received complaints about agents, some of whom are former players, being involved in the recruitment of ICL players by various IPL franchises. The BCCI allowed those ICL players who have accepted their amnesty offer to be recruited for the IPL within a fee range of Rs 8-20 lakhs. Complaints have also been received about agents or their scouts approaching upcoming players from other countries and promising IPL contracts.

Most of the BCCI's 37 contracted players, including the entire Indian team, who are part of the IPL, are represented by agents who are compensated by the players and not the league. The new rules are part of a drive to regulate the recruitment process and bring all contracts under the purview of the league.

The IPL also said it would not recognize any player contracts not conforming to prescribed guidelines. "The IPL has taken this stand based on complaints received from multiple quarters about individual franchisees tweaking the terms of conditions of signing up young and new players as per their convenience and were not part of the prescribed contract templates provided by the league," the IPL said in a statement. It will not, it said, recognise any contract that flouts prescribed guidelines.

The IPL has also asked all franchises to re-register all new player contracts and disclose details of all player contracts that have been signed so far by August 25. "The IPL will then update the player registry and publish a finalised list of registered players with the league on August 27," the statement said.