By Zainab Shafiq 
The English players’ landscape in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has changed significantly. Ten England cricketers are left in IPL 2025, compared to 18 who were there in 2024. Injuries and withdrawals, including those of Harry Brook and Brydon Carse, have certainly contributed. But more profound questions arise. Have IPL teams lost interest in English players, or are England’s stars going elsewhere?
Former England opener Nick Knight provides the insight. As per him, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), headed by Rob Key, is taking priority for national responsibilities over franchise ones. Ahead lies a challenging Test calendar featuring a five-match series against India and the Ashes, for whom multi-format stars such as Mark Wood and Brook are being treated with utmost care. “They’re well looked after, and they have to be,” says Knight.
Apart from workload issues, money is also an influence. The IPL is no longer the sole well-paying T20 competition on the calendar, with new leagues sprouting up globally. Some English players might prefer other leagues where they are more sought after or earn bigger paychecks.
List of English Players in IPL 2025
In spite of the general slide, ten English players still figure in the IPL: Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Phil Salt, and Reece Topley. Ben Duckett was also offered by Delhi Capitals as a replacement for Brook but did not accept the offer, reflecting a shift in thinking among England’s white-ball cricketers.
The diminishing English representation in the IPL may also be an indication of their recent failure in ICC competitions. Matt Roller of ESPNcricinfo proposes that England’s reputation in T20 cricket has taken a hit after their disappointing show in international tournaments. England players were sought-after assets in the IPL auctions just a few years back, courtesy of their white-ball dominance. The scene is different now.
Indian cricket veteran Ambati Rayudu feels that England’s woes in subcontinental conditions could also be a reason. He cites the fact that several English batters have in the past enhanced their game in the IPL, especially against spin on slow tracks. But their recent performances in India have revealed weaknesses in adjusting to such conditions, casting doubts over their capacity to succeed in the league.
As the season of IPL 2025 goes on, the question is: Is this decline in English representation short-term or an indication of changing priorities in international cricket?
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