How Vijay Shankar's retirement has BCCI looking to change Indian cricket's overseas league policy

Just by retiring Vijay Shankar may have given a final push to a possible policy change by BCCI for players who take part in the foreign leagues.

BCCI may soon bring in a new policy for players who take part in foreign leagues. Image: Reuters

FirstCricket Staff|Jun 05, 2026, 10:18:38 IST

Former India all-rounder Vijay Shankar's retirement may have forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to bring in a new policy to protect its 'interests.' The 25-year-old Shankar, who played for India at the 2019 World Cup, retired from domestic cricket and IPL on 22 May, and joined Kandy Royals for the 2026 Lanka Premier League on 26 May.

Close on the heels of Shankar's decision, the BCCI came closer to taking a major call during its Apex Council meeting on Thursday. The BCCI officials discussed that a five-year ban should be put in place for those wanting to return to playing in India after participating in foreign leagues.

BCCI doesn't want to ignore Vijay Shankar loophole

While the proposal is still under discussion, its timing is unlikely to be a coincidence. BCCI is likely looking to plug a 'loophole' which has become too big to ignore for them after Shankar joining the LPL. This is not to say that Shankar is the only player to take this route. Dinesh Karthik, Yuvraj Singh, Unmukt Chand, Praveen Tambe and Irfan Pathan, among others, have also done the same in the past.

But BCCI has also always been keen to maintain exclusivity when it comes to Indian players featuring in foreign T20 leagues. Notably, BCCI is the only cricket board that doesn't allow active players to play in foreign leagues. An Indian player has to retire from competitive cricket, including the IPL, to play in overseas or informal events.

Besides maintaining the exclusivity for IPL, there's also a feeling to retain the best talent for domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the breeding ground for Team India's replacement players and future champions.

BCCI message to players

And by bringing the mooted five-year bar, BCCI is trying to send a message to the players and discourage them from taking early retirement.

“The idea is to send a message to the players to be sure of their decision. Modalities will be worked out before rules are framed, looking at all parameters,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times over the possible policy change.

It has been reported that BCCI has delayed a confirmed policy change due to a lack of proper legal backing, but once the items are reviewed, a change can be expected soon.

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