England’s Harry Brook Banned from IPL for Two Years After Last-Minute Withdrawal

England batter Harry Brook has been handed a two-year ban from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after making a last-minute withdrawal from the 2025 season, a move that violated the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) policies. The ban will prevent Brook from participating in the IPL until 2027, including auctions and team selections.

BCCI Confirms Two-Year Suspension

A BCCI official confirmed the decision, citing IPL’s strict rules regarding overseas player withdrawals.

“There was a rule in place and that has been implemented. The ban covers the 2025 and 2026 editions of the IPL,” the official told PTI.

According to BCCI’s regulations, any foreign player who withdraws from the IPL after being picked at the auction—without a valid injury reason—will face an automatic two-year ban. This policy was introduced to maintain the integrity of the league and prevent overseas players from pulling out at the last moment, which disrupts team strategies and replacements.

Brook, 26, had been acquired by Delhi Capitals (DC) during the IPL 2025 auction, but he announced his withdrawal earlier this week, citing the need to focus on his international commitments with England.

Harry Brook’s Statement: Prioritizing England Over IPL

The talented right-handed batter took to social media to express his regrets and apologize to the Delhi Capitals franchise and their supporters.

“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. 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.”

Brook’s decision comes as England gears up for a home Test series against India in June, followed by the high-stakes Ashes series from November to January 2026. His absence from the IPL indicates that he is firmly focused on securing his future in international cricket, particularly as he is considered a strong candidate to replace Jos Buttler as England’s white-ball captain in the future.

Not the First IPL Withdrawal for Brook

This is not the first time Brook has withdrawn from an IPL contract. In IPL 2024, he pulled out of the tournament after the death of his grandmother, a move that was understood and respected by the Delhi Capitals management. However, this time, his non-injury-related withdrawal triggered the automatic two-year ban under BCCI’s foreign player policy.

“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,” states the BCCI document, which was shared with teams last year.

Brook had previously played one IPL season in 2023 for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where he delivered a memorable 55-ball century against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Despite flashes of brilliance, he struggled with consistency throughout the tournament.

BCCI Notifies ECB About Brook’s Ban

Following the enforcement of the ban, the BCCI has reportedly informed the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) about Brook’s exclusion from IPL 2025 and 2026. While the ECB has not officially commented on the matter, Brook’s decision aligns with England’s long-term cricket plans, especially with their focus on Test and limited-overs cricket in the next two years.

Brook’s withdrawal comes as a blow to Delhi Capitals, who had invested in his power-hitting abilities for the middle order. Now, DC will have to look for an alternative player to fill the void before IPL 2025 kicks off on March 22, with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders hosting Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens in the season opener.

Brook’s ban serves as a strong message to overseas players who enter the IPL auction and later withdraw without valid injury reasons. The BCCI’s policy ensures teams do not suffer from last-minute dropouts, maintaining the credibility and competitiveness of the tournament.

As IPL 2025 nears, Delhi Capitals will need to rework their plans, while Brook will focus on his England career, possibly returning to the IPL fold only in 2027.