Why Harry Brook Pulled Out of IPL 2024, His 2025 Withdrawal and the IPL Ban Explained

Harry Brook pulled out of IPL 2024 in March 2024, before playing a game for Delhi Capitals, after the death of his grandmother. A year later he withdrew again, from IPL 2025, and that second pull-out triggered a new IPL rule: Brook was banned from the IPL and its auctions for two seasons. As of November 2026 he has not played in the IPL since 2023, and he now captains England's white-ball teams.

Quick answer: Brook missed IPL 2024 for personal reasons (his grandmother, who helped raise him, had died) and Delhi Capitals replaced him with South African pacer Lizaad Williams. He was bought again by DC for ₹6.25 crore for IPL 2025 but withdrew to focus on England, which led to a two-year ban. Reports at the time said he would not be eligible to return until 2028. He was not in the IPL 2026 auction, and by those reports the ban also covers IPL 2027.

Why Harry Brook pulled out of IPL 2024

Delhi Capitals bought Brook for ₹4 crore at the December 2023 auction. In March 2024, just before the season, he withdrew. In a statement on Instagram he explained that he had lost his grandmother the previous month:

“I was so excited to be picked by Delhi Capitals and was looking forward to joining up with everyone. While I don’t think I should need to share my personal reasons behind this decision, I know there will be many asking why. So I do want to share this. I lost my grandmother last month—she was a rock to me, and I spent a huge amount of my childhood in her home. My attitude to life and love for cricket was shaped by her and my late grandfather.”

Brook, then 25, had spent much of his childhood in her home, and he chose to stay with his family. Most fans and the franchise accepted the decision. It was a bereavement, not an injury or a contract dispute.

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Who replaced Harry Brook at Delhi Capitals?

DC named Lizaad Williams, a South African fast bowler, as Brook's replacement for IPL 2024. Delhi, captained by Rishabh Pant on his return from his 2022 car accident, finished 6th and missed the playoffs.

The 2025 withdrawal and the two-year IPL ban

Before the November 2024 mega auction, the IPL told franchises about a new rule. Any overseas player who is bought at auction and then makes himself unavailable before the season faces a two-season ban from playing in the IPL and from its auctions. The only exception is an injury or medical condition confirmed by the player's home board. Franchises had pushed for it after a run of late withdrawals.

Delhi bought Brook again for ₹6.25 crore. In March 2025 he pulled out for the second year running, saying he needed to recharge after a busy stretch and wanted to focus on what he called "a really important time" for England cricket. An IPL official confirmed to news agency ANI that the two-year ban would apply. Brook was the first high-profile player caught by the rule.

What Brook has done since

• England white-ball captain: Brook was appointed captain of England's ODI and T20I sides in April 2025, after Jos Buttler stepped down.

• T20 World Cup 2026: he led England to the semi-finals in India and Sri Lanka. They topped their Super 8 group, beating Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand, but lost the semi-final to India by 7 runs in Mumbai on 5 March 2026. India went on to win the title.

• Test cricket: he remains a key part of England's Test middle order, highlighted by his 317 against Pakistan in Multan in October 2024.

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Will Harry Brook play in the IPL again?

Not in the next season. He was not eligible for the December 2025 auction, so he did not play in IPL 2026. Reports at the time of the ban said he could not return until 2028. Asked in August 2026 whether he would consider the IPL again, Brook said it was something he would think about, but that he was focused on playing as much cricket as possible for England.

His only IPL season so far was 2023 with Sunrisers Hyderabad, who paid ₹13.25 crore for him. He made a century against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens but struggled for consistency, and SRH released him after one season.

Why the case matters for the IPL

Brook's two withdrawals sit at the centre of a long-running argument between franchises and overseas players:

1. Teams plan around auction buys. A late withdrawal leaves a hole that can only be filled from the leftover pool.

2. International schedules clash with the IPL, especially for England players with summer Test series.

3. The ban is a deterrent, but it applies only to overseas players and only when the withdrawal is not for a confirmed injury or medical reason.

The 2024 withdrawal, for a family bereavement, is different from the 2025 one. The first is the kind of reason most fans accept; the second was a career choice that the new rule was designed to discourage.

FAQs

Why did Harry Brook pull out of IPL 2024?

He withdrew for personal reasons after his grandmother died in February 2024. She had played a big part in raising him.

Who replaced Harry Brook in Delhi Capitals?

South African fast bowler Lizaad Williams replaced him for IPL 2024.

Is Harry Brook banned from the IPL?

Yes. After withdrawing from IPL 2025 he received a two-season ban from the IPL and its auctions, under a rule for overseas players who pull out after being bought without a confirmed injury.

When can Harry Brook play IPL again?

Reports at the time said he would be eligible again from 2028. He missed IPL 2026, and the ban is reported to cover IPL 2027 as well.

Which IPL team has Harry Brook played for?

Only Sunrisers Hyderabad, in IPL 2023. Delhi Capitals bought him twice, but he never played for them.

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