England cricketer Harry Brook has decided to not participate in the upcoming IPL season with Delhi Capitals for the second consecutive year. This late withdrawal could potentially result in a two-year ban from the tournament for him.
Sources indicate that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about Brook’s decision, which was then communicated to Delhi Capitals. Delhi Capitals had acquired Brook for a significant amount in the previous IPL auction.
While there has been no official statement from the IPL yet, Brook mentioned on social media that he needs time to rest and recover after a very busy period in his cricket career. He is also being considered as a potential replacement for Jos Buttler as England’s white-ball captain. Managing his workload is crucial as he is an all-format player with a central contract with the ECB.
Brook stated that he made a difficult decision to pull out of the IPL and apologized to Delhi Capitals and their fans. He emphasized his dream to play for England and his commitment to prepare for upcoming series. He acknowledged that some may not understand his decision but reiterated that playing for his country is his top priority.
Due to the new IPL rules, players who withdraw after being picked in the auction may face a two-year ban from the league. This rule was introduced following concerns from franchises about players pulling out at the last minute.
The IPL’s governing body has stated that the only exception to this ban would be for injuries or medical conditions confirmed by the player’s home board.
This is the second time Brook has withdrawn from the IPL with Delhi Capitals. Last year, he pulled out just before the season started due to a family bereavement.
IPL 2025 is scheduled to begin on March 22, with Delhi Capitals playing their first match on March 24. The team has not yet announced their captain for the season.
Brook played in the IPL once before in 2023 for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He had a mixed season, with one century and otherwise inconsistent performances.
