Reports indicate that Pakistani cricketers might not be selected by India-owned teams at the upcoming The Hundred auction next month. This decision stems from ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan. Over time, owners of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises have increased their influence across various T20 leagues globally, affecting player selections.
A senior official from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) mentioned that Indian teams may restrict their selection of Pakistani players for The Hundred. This raises questions about how IPL owners affect player choices in International leagues.
Currently, IPL owners have teams in South Africa, UAE, USA, Caribbean, and England, showcasing their dominance in the cricketing world.
SA20 League: All Teams Owned by IPL Franchise Owners
| SA20 Teams | Owned By | IPL Team Connection |
| MI Cape Town | Reliance Industries | Mumbai Indians |
| Joburg Super Kings | India Cements | Chennai Super Kings |
| Pretoria Capitals | GMR Group | Delhi Capitals |
| Paarl Royals | Royals Sports Group | Rajasthan Royals |
| Sunrisers Eastern Cape | Sun Group | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Durban’s Super Giants | RPSG Group | Lucknow Super Giants |
Since the launch of SA20, no Pakistani player has participated, highlighting this selection pattern.
ILT20 League: Indian Companies Own Most Teams
| ILT20 Teams | Owned By | IPL Team Connection |
| MI Emirates | Reliance Industries | Mumbai Indians |
| Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Red Chillies Group | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| Dubai Capitals | GMR Group | Delhi Capitals |
| Gulf Giants | Adani Group | Gujarat Titans (Business Link) |
| Sharjah Warriors | Capri Global | UP Warriorz |
| Desert Vipers | International Owners | No IPL Link |
Indian-owned teams have largely overlooked Pakistani players, except for Desert Vipers, who have included them more frequently.
Major League Cricket (MLC): Strong Indian Representation in the USA
| MLC Teams | Owned By | IPL Team Connection |
| MI New York | Reliance Industries | Mumbai Indians |
| LA Knight Riders | Knight Riders Group | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| Texas Super Kings | India Cements | Chennai Super Kings |
| Seattle Orcas | GMR Group | Delhi Capitals |
| San Francisco Unicorns | Private Investors | No IPL Link |
| Washington Freedom | Private Investors | No IPL Link |
Four out of the six teams are controlled by IPL franchises, further indicating their influence in cricket.
Caribbean Premier League (CPL): Indian Owners Hold Half the Teams
| CPL Teams | Owned By | IPL Team Connection |
| Trinbago Knight Riders | Red Chillies Group | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| Barbados Royals | Royals Sports Group | Rajasthan Royals |
| Saint Lucia Kings | KPH Dream Cricket | Punjab Kings |
The Hundred: Indian Companies Making Their Mark in England
| The Hundred Teams | Owned By | IPL Team Connection |
| Manchester Super Giants | RPSG Group | Lucknow Super Giants |
| MI London | Reliance Industries | Mumbai Indians |
| Southern Brave | GMR Group | Delhi Capitals |
| Sunrisers Leeds | Sun Group | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
This trend aligns with the participation of these teams in other leagues. The upcoming auction may see limited interest in Pakistani players from Indian teams.
Emerging Patterns in Multiple Leagues
This situation is not unprecedented; similar trends have been noted in leagues like SA20 and ILT20.
IPL franchise owners possess an extensive global network, enhancing their influence over player selections. Due to ongoing political strife between India and Pakistan, Pakistani players have not featured in the IPL since 2008.
This trend is now evident in leagues associated with IPL ownership. Other leagues have seen varied player representation; for instance, Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladeshi player Mustfizur Rehmaan in early 2026 following directives from the Indian cricket board.
These occurrences reflect how cricket can be influenced by political dynamics.
IPL Franchise Owners Lead in Franchise Cricket Worldwide
IPL franchise owners currently dominate franchise cricket across the globe:
- India (IPL)
- South Africa (SA20)
- UAE (ILT20)
- USA (MLC)
- Caribbean (CPL)
- England (The Hundred)
This dominance has allowed them to establish strong brands and a sizable fan base. However, it also raises questions about fairness and opportunities for players.
While Pakistani players are still notable short-format cricketers, their representation in leagues tied to IPL franchise owners is limited. The upcoming auction will shed light on this ongoing connection.
