England’s newly appointed white-ball captain, Harry Brook, has opened up about his two-year ban from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after pulling out of IPL 2025. Brook, who was picked by Delhi Capitals during the mega auction in Jeddah, decided to withdraw from the tournament just days before it started, triggering the automatic two-year suspension rule under IPL regulations.
As per IPL rules:
“Any player who registers for the auction and pulls out after being picked will be banned from the tournament and auction for the next two seasons.”
Speaking at a press interaction in Headingley, Brook addressed the ban for the first time and said he stands by his decision.
“They haven’t told me directly. But if I do get banned, fair play. That’s the rule, and I respect it,” said Brook.
“I’m completely committed to playing cricket for England. Missing out on franchise money is a small price to pay if I get to wear the England jersey consistently.”
Focused on International Duty
The 26-year-old also shared that stepping away from the IPL wasn’t easy, especially considering its stature and the financial gains. However, with a packed international calendar that includes a five-match Test series against India and the upcoming Ashes in Australia, Brook decided to prioritize national duty.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to skip the IPL. But with the amount of international cricket ahead, it was the right call,” Brook said.
“I won’t be playing any franchise cricket in the near future. England comes first.”
Rising Leadership Role
Brook’s decision comes at a crucial time in his career, as he recently took over as England’s white-ball captain, replacing Jos Buttler. With a leadership role and a heavy national schedule, Brook is clearly signaling where his priorities lie.
His statement has been praised by fans and experts alike, who see his commitment as a strong message about valuing national representation over league contracts.
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