Are England Players Losing Interest in the IPL or No Longer in Demand?

The Indian Premier League has continued to be a destination where overseas players get to showcase their T20 skills, ink massive contracts, and play high-pressure cricket. England has had a couple of players who rose over the years to become part of the core of the IPL. But in 2025, English players participating in the tournament have declined significantly. This year, there were just ten English players signed against eighteen in IPL 2024. Two of the players, Harry Brook and Brydon Carse, even withdrew even before the tournament. It is a curious question to ask. Are English players not interested in playing the IPL anymore, or are franchises no longer interested in getting them?

Among the main reasons for this shift is the England and Wales Cricket Board's desire to keep international obligations at the top of priorities. England men's cricket managing director Rob Key has asked the players to look more towards their country commitments. England has a busy fixture schedule with a five-Test series against India and an Ashes series lined up. Some of England's multi-format players like Harry Brook and Mark Wood are being treated with caution so that they can be preserved at their best for international cricket. With so much on the schedule, not participating in the IPL might be less of an attraction for some of the players anymore. They might prefer resting and preparing for England's commitments rather than traveling to India for two months.

There is also a financial aspect to this. IPL auctions are highly competitive, and if a player does not get a good offer, he might decide to play in some other T20 league where he can get an equivalent amount of money with less travels and workload. With many new T20 leagues emerging all around the world, English players have more options than before. If they are unable to secure their expected price in the IPL, they would be willing to play in some other league where financial incentives and load management come first.

Another factor is England's recent white-ball slump. Last year prior to IPL 2022, England was very much in demand. They were defending ODI World Cup champions and also T20 World Cup champions later in the same year. English players, who had already tasted the highest level, were most in demand with franchises. But last two years have not seen English performance in ICC events so impressive. This may have impacted their players' demand in the IPL. ESPNcricinfo's Matt Roller mentioned that England's white-ball stock has declined, and they are no longer as desirable to IPL franchises. Players such as Sam Curran, the Player of the Tournament in the Australian T20 World Cup, received a massive IPL contract after that success. But as England's performances have slumped, so has the value of their players.

The technical aspect of playing in Indian conditions also plays a role. Some experts believed that English players earlier used to gain an advantage due to exposure to the IPL, especially in playing against spin. Competition in subcontinent conditions helped them develop better skills to combat slow pitches and quality spinners. Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu, though, believed that England's batting plan in these conditions is one-dimensional now. He said that England battled spin in their recent white-ball tour of India. If English players are yet to adapt to Indian pitches, IPL franchises may find it more attractive to invest in foreign players who are better suited to those conditions.

Ben Duckett's situation is also noteworthy. Delhi Capitals allegedly approached him as a likely cover for Harry Brook, but he did not participate in the tournament. This may indicate English players not wanting to play in the IPL even if chances arise. It can be a personnel decision due to workload management, finances, or plain preference to play other forms of the game.

This is a slightly complex scenario. Did English cricketers improve at T20 by playing for the IPL, or were they competent enough to be signed up by IPL franchises in the first place? If the experience of playing in the IPL improved them at dealing with spin and slow conditions, then having fewer English players participate could lead to missed learning opportunities. On the other hand, if they are no longer getting the big contracts and are not in as much demand anymore, then that suggests that IPL franchises believe their services are less valuable today than they were in the past.

English cricketers in the IPL are at a record low in recent times. The ten players featured under IPL 2025 include Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Phil Salt, and Reece Topley. Some of these players have been a regular feature in the IPL, while others have not yet established themselves in the league. However, the fact that the total number has decreased from previous seasons suggests a dramatic change in trend.

Whether the change is of a long-term nature or just a phase is to be watched. If England do well in the coming few ICC tournaments, the value of their players is likely to go up again. If more players prefer international cricket to T20 leagues, then the trend is probably going to be continued. At least for now, it's clear that the dynamics between England players and the IPL are not the same as a few years back. Whether it's a case of workload management, financial issues, or a fall in their T20 share value, fewer English players are playing in the IPL than in the past. It'll be interesting to observe where this trend goes in the future.