In a major development ahead of the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, England batter Harry Brook has withdrawn from the tournament for the second consecutive year. This decision comes despite being signed by Delhi Capitals (DC) for ₹6.25 crores in the previous year’s auction. His withdrawal could result in a two-year ban from future IPL editions, as per the new rules introduced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Brook’s decision to opt out of IPL 2025 was communicated by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to the BCCI last week. Following this, the information was relayed to Delhi Capitals (DC), who now need to find a replacement before the tournament begins.
While Brook has not publicly disclosed the reason for his withdrawal, reports suggest that his workload management could be a factor, especially since he remains an all-format player for England with 18 months left on his central contract.
Brook’s withdrawal puts him at risk of a two-year ban from the league, as per a new rule enforced by IPL’s governing body. This regulation was introduced ahead of the 2025 Mega Auction, primarily due to repeated last-minute withdrawals by overseas players, particularly from England.
The only exception to this rule applies in case of:
Injury or medical condition, which must be confirmed by the player’s home board.
Brook’s withdrawal does not appear to fall under this category, making his participation in IPL 2026 and 2027 uncertain.
Possible Reasons for Brook’s Withdrawa
While no official statement has been made by Harry Brook or the ECB, a few possible reasons are being speculated, as Brook is considered a frontrunner for the white-ball captaincy of England, with talks of him replacing Jos Buttler after England’s poor performance in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup.
