England captain Ben Stokes has chosen to sit out next year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) season, leaving his name absent from the list of 52 English players registered for the upcoming auction on November 24-25. Under new IPL regulations, this decision means the 33-year-old Stokes will also be ineligible for the 2026 season.
However, former England bowler James Anderson, who retired from international cricket in July, has signed up for the auction at age 42, alongside fellow fast bowler Jofra Archer. Anderson, who has not played since his farewell Test against the West Indies and last appeared in a T20 game in 2014, has yet to participate in any global T20 league.
Archer’s registration is noteworthy, especially as there are hopes he may return to Test cricket next summer. Although injuries have sidelined Archer, he recently re-entered white-ball cricket and is expected to play against India next summer and in the 2025-26 Ashes in Australia. His involvement in the IPL may limit his availability for the County Championship’s early rounds, affecting his preparation for longer formats.
The IPL introduced a rule this year barring overseas players who withdraw after signing with a franchise from competing in the league for two years. Although the 2025 IPL dates remain unconfirmed, this year's season ran from March 22 to May 26. Following the Champions Trophy in early March, England’s next fixture is a four-day Test against Zimbabwe on May 22, creating a gap that could accommodate the IPL.
With 1,574 players registered for the auction, the IPL has yet to release the full roster, as franchises will finalise their shortlisted candidates closer to the auction date. No English players were retained by their franchises, including white-ball captain Jos Buttler, who is expected to participate after recently joining England’s training in Barbados.
Buttler, who has been recovering from a calf injury since the T20 World Cup in June, confirmed he will not return as wicketkeeper during the T20 series against the West Indies. Phil Salt will assume the role, providing Buttler the chance to support bowlers from mid-off, which Salt believes will enhance his engagement with the bowlers. Salt noted that being behind the stumps can sometimes limit a captain’s ability to reinforce positivity throughout a game.