Late decision could trigger two-year ban from tournament, amid speculation about England white-ball captaincy
Nagraj Gollapudi09-Mar-2025
Harry Brook has played one season of IPL, for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2023•Associated Press
Harry Brook has pulled out of his IPL deal with Delhi Capitals (DC) for the second season running. As a consequence, he could face a two-year ban from the competition.ESPNcricinfo has learned that Brook’s decision to pull out was conveyed by ECB officials to the BCCI last week, and then relayed to DC, who had bought Brook for INR 6.25 crore (£590,000) at the IPL mega auction last November.There is no official line on the development yet from the IPL, but Brook posted on social media* that he needed “time to recharge after the busiest period in my career to date”. He is considered a frontrunner to replace Jos Buttler as England’s white-ball captain following their group-stage elimination at the Champions Trophy, and, as an all-formats player with 18 months yet to run on his ECB central contract, workload management could prove to be a factor in the withdrawal. The ECB has been contacted for comment.Related
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“I have made the very difficult decision to pull out of the upcoming IPL,” Brook tweeted. “I apologise unreservedly to the Delhi Capitals and their supporters. I love cricket. Ever since I was a young boy, I have dreamt of playing for my country, and I am extremely thankful to have the opportunity to play the game I love at this level.”With the guidance of people I trust, I have taken the time to seriously consider this decision. 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. I remain hugely grateful for the opportunities I have been given and the support I receive.”The decision left him vulnerable to a two-year ban from the IPL. The new rule was put in place ahead of the 2025 auction, and is based on feedback from all ten franchises, who have expressed frustration at the series of late pullouts by overseas players.In a note to franchises last September, the IPL said: “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.”
The only exception, the governing council had said, would be for “an injury/medical condition, which will have to be confirmed by the [player’s] home board”.This is the second year in a row that Brook has pulled out before the start of an IPL season, with DC the team affected on both occasions. Last March, ten days before their opening match of the season, Brook informed DC he was withdrawing to be with his family after the death of his grandmother. The bereavement had already caused him to pull out of England’s Test tour of India in February.IPL 2025 will start on March 22 with DC’s opening fixture coming against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Visakhapatnam on March 24. DC have not yet announced their captain for the season.Brook has played one season of the IPL, in 2023, when he endured a difficult campaign with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). He made 190 runs at 22.11 in 11 matches, but more than half of those came in a single remarkable innings, 100 not out from 55 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens.*18.45 GMT – Story updated with Brook’s X post
