Harry Brook had withdrawn from the 18th season of the Indian Premier League on Monday, apologising “unreservedly” to Delhi Capitals and their supporters while citing workload management as the reason behind his decision.
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England batter Harry Brook will be ineligible to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) until 2027 after
staging a last-minute pullout ahead of the 2025 edition on Monday. The explosive middle-order batter had apologised “unreservedly” to DC and their supporters after withdrawing from the 18th season just two weeks before his team’s opening match in order to manage his workload.
It was the second consecutive time Brook staged a last-minute pull-out in the IPL, having made a similar last year as well after he was purchased by the Capitals for Rs 4 crore, although back then it was the tragic demise of his grandmother that led to the decision.
BCCI implements new rule introduced last year after Brook’s withdrawal
The BCCI, however, had introduced a new set of rules ahead of the mega auction in Jeddah last year, implementing a two-year ban in order to combat last-minute withdrawals that affect franchises and their plans for a season.
“There was a rule in place and that has been implemented. The ban covers the 2025 and 2026 edition,” a BCCI official told PTI.
Any foreign player who misses the IPL after getting picked at the auction faces a two-year ban from the IPL unless he is injured.
“Any (overseas) player who registers for (an) auction and, after getting picked at the auction, makes himself unavailable before the start of the season will get banned from participating in the IPL/IPL auction for two seasons,” as per the BCCI document shared with teams last year.
Brook opted out of IPL 2025 to focus on his England career while in 2024, he withdrew following the death of his grandmother.
“I have made the very difficult decision to pull out of the upcoming IPL. I apologize unreservedly to the Delhi Capitals and their supporters,” Brook wrote on social media earlier this week.
“It is a really important time for England cricket and I want to fully commit to preparing for the upcoming series.
“In order to do this, I need time to recharge after the busiest period in my career to date. I know not everyone will understand, and I don’t expect them to, but I have to do what I believe is right and playing for my country remains my priority and focus.” England will play India in a home Test series in June, which will be followed by the much-anticipated Ashes from November to January.
With PTI inputs