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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has imposed a two-year suspension on Harry Brook to take part in the Indian Premier League (IPL) a🀅fter he pulled out of the 2025 season. The 𝄹ruling, which comes under the newly established withdrawal policy, has raised eyebrows among cricket fans.
Brook, who was bought by Delhi Capitals (DC) for INR 6.25 crore at the IPL 2025 auction, cited his commitments to the England national team as the reason for his withdrawal. However, this marked the second consecutive year he pulled out of the IPL, leading to a strict enforcement of the BCCI’s rule that bars players from participating in two future IPL seasons if they withdraw without a valid reason.
BCCI’s stringent player withdrawal policy and its implications
The BCCI had introduced a strict withdrawal policy ahead of the 2025 IPL auction, ensuring that franchises are not left in a difficult position due to last-minute pullouts. According to this policy, if a player withdraws without a valid reason such as injury or family emergencies, they will face an automatic two-year ban from future IPL auctions and signings. Brook’s withdrawal initiated this rule, and he will be disqualified to play IPL 2026 and IPL 2027.
This choice has had serious repercussions for Delhi, who had recruited Brook to bolster their middle order after the loss of Rishabh Pant. His sudden departure left a huge void in DC’s batting department, compelling them to have to find a replacement mere days out from the start of the tournament. Brook’s absence has also inflicted financial harm, with the INR 6.25 crore they invested in him available to spend on another game-changer in the auction.
Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid defend BCCI’s decision against Harry Brook
Several players, including Brook’s England teammates Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, have supported the BCCI’s decision, emphasizing that players must take responsibility for their commitments. Speaking on the Beard Before Cricket podcast, Moeen Ali, who will play for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), stated that he believes the ban is fair, as Brook’s withdrawal disrupted Delhi Capitals’ team strategy and auction plans. He mentioned that a number of players in the past have pulled out of the IPL and then come back to get better financial offers, which can be unjust to the franchises.
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“It’s not harsh. I kind of agree with it, in a way, because a lot of people have done this before, and they end up coming back and getting a better financial package. It messes things up for teams when a player suddenly pulls out, and it’s unfair to franchises who invest heavily in certain players,” Moeen said.
Rashid also shared similar views, stating that the rule was already established prior to the auction, and Brook was well aware of the repercussions of pulling out. He added further that the IPL is a very important tournament, and when one player withdraws without a valid reason, it hurts not only the team but also the reputation of the league. Both players stressed that this rule needs to be 🔴implemented in order to uphold fairness and accountability among cricketers playing in franchise leagues.
“This rule was already in place before the auction. Every player who puts their name in the IPL auction is aware that if they pull out, they will be banned for two years. So, Brook knew the consequences beforehand. I don’t think it’s harsh—it’s just the way the system works,” Rashid said.
