The Indian Premier League [Images] has increased the number of international players who can be on contract with its eight franchisee teams from eight to ten, but maintained that only four can be fielded in the playing eleven in a match.

The IPL also decided that a new players' auction, ahead of its second season in April-May 2009, will be on February 6, 2009, in Mumbai, and the window for trading of players between franchises will be between December 15, 2008 and January 15, 2009.

It was also decided that squads will not be allowed temporary replacements from 2009 and all teams that had temporary replacements will have the first right to pick those players.

These decisions were taken at the IPL's three-day franchisee workshop that concluded in Bangkok, on Sunday, said a statement on Monday.

The IPL also relaxed the guidelines for commercial leverage for teams, providing them with more opportunities on-ground and in branding of teams.

A detailed hospitality and ticketing operations plan was also drafted and approved with a focus on improving the spectator experience including food courts and quality hospitality being provided to spectators, the statement added.

The statement was, however, silent on whether the player cap of US $5 million, kept last year, was revised or not after demands to increase it had come in from the franchise owners.

The workshop, attended by over 130 personnel associated with the League, discussed player regulations, commercial, logistics, hospitality, ticketing, licensing and merchandising.

IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi said the decisions arrived at over player regulations and trading window, among others, "should make for an exhilarating experience for IPL fans in 2009.