Harry Brook, an England cricketer, has made the decision to withdraw from the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the second consecutive season. This move could potentially result in a two-year ban from the competition, as per a rule put in place by the IPL Governing Council before the 2025 auction. The rule states that any player who registers for the auction and then becomes unavailable before the start of the season will face a ban from participating in the tournament and auction for two seasons.
Brook expressed his apologies to the Delhi Capitals franchise and its supporters, emphasizing that his priority and focus lie with playing for England. The 26-year-old cricketer is considered a top contender, alongside Ben Stokes, to potentially replace Jos Buttler as England’s white-ball captain following their elimination from the Champions Trophy.
In a social media post, Brook explained his decision to pull out of the upcoming IPL, citing the need to recharge after a busy period in his career and to fully commit to preparing for upcoming series with the England team. He acknowledged that not everyone may understand his decision, but reiterated that playing for his country remains his main focus.
England is gearing up for a home test series against India in June, followed by an Ashes tour against Australia from November to January. Brook had also withdrawn from the 2024 IPL edition due to personal reasons.
The 2025 IPL season is set to kick off on March 22, with Kolkata Knight Riders facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens.
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