The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the franchises that cricketers of all teams except Bangladesh are completely free during the entire IPL. The franchises have been informed about the matter by BCCI ahead of auction on Thursday (February 18).

This year IPL will start on 9 or 10 April. The event will last for 50 days.

"Any (Bangladesh) players selected will be unavailable from 19th May or will leave before if any other series is scheduled during IPL window," the BCCI wrote to the franchises on Tuesday night. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) recently announced that Sri Lanka will tour the country in May for a three-match series. 

The availability of Sri Lankan players is also yet to be confirmed. There are four from Bangladesh and nine from Sri Lankans in the auction but none from these countries in the retained squads.

The BCCI also confirmed the full availability of the Australian players despite the unfinished domestic competition in the country. "The last round of Sheffield Shield, Australia's domestic first-class cricket competition is scheduled on 3rd April 2021. The final of the Sheffield Shield will be held from 15th-19th April 2021," the BCCI mail said but added that "The NOC will be given to players selected for IPL from 1st April 2021."

The England and New Zealand players will also be fully available despite the planned series between the countries in June. "In the event of ECB Selectors wishing to select a player for the 1st Test v New Zealand whose franchise has made it through to the knock-out stages of the Tournament, but who is not featuring in the starting XI, the relevant franchise is requested to release such player early so that they can participate in the Test Match," the BCCI advised the teams.