As per IPL rules 1.2.5 and 1.2.6, no team should have more than four overseas players in a match

Since its inception in 2008, one of the most important objectives of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been to bring Indian and foreign players into a single setup so that both can learn from each other. Therefore, under the rules, every IPL team can field up to 4 foreign players in each match. And given how equally talented the foreign cricketers are, in the majority of matches, teams keep four players to maintain a balanced squad. However, in the history of the IPL, there was one match in which a team fielded only one foreign player in their playing XI; what was the reason for this?

Punjab’s unique situation

In 2024, before the May 19 game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Punjab Kings found themselves in a unique situation when several players were either injured or had to leave for national duty. Shikhar Dhawan, the skipper of the team, missed the game, and so did stand-in captain Sam Curran. Pacer Kagiso Rabada also missed the match because of an injury and returned to South Africa.

Virender Sehwag said Sam Curran is the one who has no use and he doens't deserve to be in any team.

But he shows he still has the capability the win the game.

If Punjab was able to pull those last over thrillers then they might have qualified by now.pic.twitter.com/MfUHu0s0y7

— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) May 15, 2024

Due to a T20I series in PAK, the English trio of Sam Curran, Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone also left the camp for international duty. Australian speedy bowler Nathan Ellis also did not appear in the game.

Punjab’s only overseas player

'Not everyone's Virat Kohli ' 🐐

Punjab Kings' Rilee Rossouw speaks on the demands imposed on modern T20 batters and more in an exclusive interview with @SantadeepDey

Full interview here ⤵️
📽️ https://t.co/tI550hLsoP
🧵https://t.co/YRbjSGq1CG #IPL2024 | #PBKS pic.twitter.com/untYz9hw3W

— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) May 16, 2024

In the game versus Hyderabad, Punjab’s only overseas player was Rilee Rossouw, who scored 49 runs in 24 balls at a strike rate of 204.17, including three boundaries and four maximums.

214 on the board

Despite the absence of foreign players, Punjab put on a target of 214 runs on the board, thanks to Atharva Taide’s 46 runs in 27 balls, followed by Prabhsimran Singh’s 71 runs in 45 balls and Jitesh Sharma’s 32 runs in 15 balls, who also served as the team’s captain in the absence of Dhawan and Curran.

🚨 Heinrich Klassen in Auction 🚨

- SRH may release Klassen to boost their Purse.

- Though they'll definitely chase him again to get back at cheap but there are other departments as well that SRH will try to solidify.

Source - [Sahil Malhotra/ TOI]pic.twitter.com/zE6p1fSmTg

— Pratyush Halder (@pratyush_no7) November 4, 2025

In response, Hyderabad chased the target in 19.1 overs, courtesy of blistering innings by Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klassen, who scored 66 runs and 42 runs, respectively. Rahul Tripathi and Nitish Kumar Reddy also made valuable contributions at a rapid pace, enabling Hyderabad to chase the target with ease.

Punjab lost the game by four wickets and five balls to spare, by whiskers, and while there was no guarantee of a victory had the overseas players played, who knows? Maybe they would’ve pulled off a victory with more foreign help.