Harry Brook Pulls Out of IPL Again Faces Possible Two-Year Ban
English batter Harry Brook has made a shocking decision to withdraw from IPL 2025, which equals his non-participation in the previous tournament year. The scene becomes more serious because Brook obtained a ₹6.25 crore contract from Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025‘s auction process. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rule risks banning Harry Brook from IPL competition for two years after his consecutive withdrawals.
What Led to Brook’s Withdrawal?
According to a report, Brook’s decision to skip IPL 2025 (18th season) was officially communicated by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to the BCCI last week. The BCCI then passed the information on to Delhi Capitals, who are now left confused to find a replacement before the season kicks off.
Brook Breaks Silence on Social Media
Harry Brook ended the public speculation regarding his IPL 2025 withdrawal when he released a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday. Through his statement, Brook conveyed a sincere apology to Delhi Capitals supporters and fans alongside his dedication to England national cricket.
“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.
“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.”
He went on to acknowledge that his decision might not sit well with everyone but reinforced that it was made with his long-term career and national duty in mind.
“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.”
Harry Brook’s IPL Career
SRH released him and he then signed with Delhi Capitals in the 2024 season. Due to personal reasons, he withdrew from cricket before playing any games for their team. Brook has never participated in any match for Delhi Capitals since withdrawing from the league in 2024.
IPL batting stats
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | SRH | 11 | 11 | 2 | 190 | 100* | 21.11 | 154 | 123.37 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 4 |
What This Means for Delhi Capitals
Brook’s exit comes at a tough time for Delhi Capitals, who already have some big questions to answer before the season starts:
- Finding a Replacement: The team has to look for another overseas batter like Tristan Stubbs who can take the responsibility in the middle order.
- Captaincy Still Unclear: It is still not clear who is going to lead DC in the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League.
What’s Next for Brook and the IPL?
It remains uncertain that the BCCI will implement their announced two-year ban in practice or not. Such an administration would establish new rules which could influence future handling of player withdrawals in cricket. The well-intentioned move by Harry Brook could lead to two years out of IPL competition and hurt his team’s future interest after his departure.