IPL 2025 is just two weeks away, and in the meantime, Delhi Capitals have suffered a major setback. Star batter Harry Brook, whom DC bought for ₹6.25 crore, has withdrawn from the league. On March 9, Brook announced his decision through his Instagram account. Citing workload concerns, he has opted out of the IPL to keep himself refreshed ahead of England’s upcoming series.
“I have made the very difficult decision to pull out of the upcoming IPL. I apologise unreservedly to the Delhi Capitals and their supporters. It is a really important time for England cricket, and I want to fully commit to preparing for the upcoming series. To do this, I need time to recharge after the busiest period in my career to date.” wrote Harry Brook in his Instagram post.
Harry Brook Likely to Face 2-Year IPL Ban
However, Brook’s decision has put him at risk of a two-year IPL ban. According to the new IPL rules, any player who pulls out of the league just before the tournament, except in case of injury or a medical condition, will face a two-season ban. This means that by opting out of IPL 2025, Harry Brook will also be ineligible for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. However, BCCI has yet to confirm this.
Harry Brook may have decided to skip the IPL based on advice from the England Cricket Board. With Jos Buttler stepping down from captaincy, Brook is a frontrunner to lead England’s white-ball teams. Additionally, he is a key player across all three formats, and a two-month-long IPL could add to his workload, potentially affecting his international commitments.
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However, Harry Brook’s decision has left Delhi Capitals in a tough spot. With just two weeks until IPL 2025, they now have to find a potential replacement. As per IPL rules, they can only sign a player from those who went unsold in the auction.
Meanwhile, fans are suggesting that DC should bring back their former captain, David Warner, who went unsold in the 2025 auction. However, DC may have moved on from Warner and might prefer a younger batter. Dewald Brevis could also be a strong replacement option.
