Before the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season begins, England‘s star batter Harry Brook finds himself at the center of argument after withdrawing from this year’s competition. Bought for INR 6.25 crore in the 2024 auction, the player has pulled out for the second time in a row, possibly in contravention of IPL laws.
Since this is not the first time he has backed out after being signed, Brook’s choice to withdraw is causing detailed arguments. Though the IPL administrative body has not officially published any statement, Brook’s withdrawal leaves him in danger of being handed a two-year ban from playing in upcoming competitions.
Ahead of the 2025 Mega Auction, the IPL started a fresh regulation aimed at excessive foreign player withdrawals. Unless they offer a valid medical reason supported by their home board, the rule says every player who registers for the auction will suffer a two-year suspension if picked but pulled out.
In recent years, English players’ repeated pullouts have been driving irritability among franchises. Franchises demanding further rule application have also contributed to this pressure, as Harry Brook’s decision to pull out only 12 days before the start of the tournament shows. Delhi Capitals, reliant on the young English batter as a main player, will have to search for an alternative.
Previously a member of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2023 IPL season, Harry Brook had a fair performance, including a century against Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring 190 runs in 11 games. Released after his disappointing year, Delhi Capitals picked him up later on.
Though much in demand worldwide in T20 leagues, Brook has given franchise cricket second place to national obligations. Following Jos Buttler’s stepping down after England’s poor ICC Champions Trophy run, he is currently viewed as a front-runner for the whiteball captaincy of England. His central contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the forthcoming international matches may have swayed his IPL refusal once more.
Without Harry Brook, the Delhi Capitals are in trouble, so they have to search for a last-minute solution. Still to reveal their captain for the season, the team compounds an already existing ambiguity in its roster composition. Given Brook’s absence, franchises want more accountability from foreign players, so the IPL’s two-year ban policy may come under more scrutiny.
If the regulation is followed, Brook cannot play in the IPL until at least 2027, limiting his possibilities in franchise cricket. Given his increasing standing in England’s white-ball setup, this choice could define his career path in the next few years. This may also bring him back to the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which starts on similar dates. It should be noted that Brook’s initial years in franchise cricket came with Lahore Qalandars.
Harry Brook’s departure from IPL 2025 has ignited a heated discussion on team expectations and player commitments. Although his choice to concentrate on international cricket is reasonable, it puts IPL teams in a challenging spot and raises worries about last-minute pullouts. Though the two-year prohibition is to be enforced remains to be seen, the circumstances highlight the increasing tension between overseas and franchise cricket.
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