News India Live, Digital Desk: Even before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, the process of foreign players withdrawing from the tournament and arriving late has started. Great batsman Sunil Gavaskar is angry at the foreign stars who take the tournament lightly on the pretext of ‘workload management’ and personal reasons. Gavaskar has bluntly said that foreign players are taking advantage of the commitment of Indian franchises and India’s ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ tradition. He has advised the team owners that now is the time to take a tough stance against these ‘picky’ players.

‘No commitment even after taking crores’, Gavaskar scolded

Sunil Gavaskar, in his recent column, took a dig at those players who withdraw their names at the last moment after being sold in the auction. Gavaskar wrote, “Franchise owners provide all kinds of facilities to these foreign players. The team itself bears the expenses of their families’ stay and travel, which is completely free for these millionaire players. Unfortunately, some players consider this hospitality of India as their right and then decide on their own free will to come to the tournament or not.”

The franchise’s hard work goes waste

The former Indian captain emphasized that the departure of one player spoils the balance of the entire team. He said, “When a team picks a player in the auction, there is months of planning behind it. But when players leave the tournament citing personal reasons, without any concrete injury, then the entire strategy of the franchise goes astray.” Gavaskar believes that if the franchise owners still do not take strict action, these players will continue to hurt their dreams of winning the title.

Team owners given strict advice to ‘drop’

Gavaskar has suggested to the owners of all the 10 IPL teams that players who do not fulfill their commitments should be shown the way out of the team without any hesitation. He said, “Until the owners become strict and start dropping these players, this trend will not stop. Players have to understand that they are accountable to the team.” It is noteworthy that this season too, many big names are staying away from the tournament in the name of injury or workload, due to which questions are being raised on the rules of BCCI.