Harry Brook, who was part of Delhi Capitals, has been removed from the IPL because of not joining the league for the two consecutive years, neither of health nor any injury issue.
The former England player, Moeen Ali considers that even after being signed at the auction, it is possible that Harry Brook might receive a two-year ban from the IPL because of not joining the league without any specific reason and it “is not harsh.”
According to the IPL’s new rules, Brook can neither play in the IPL, nor be a part of the auction, until IPL 2027. Only relief that the IPL can give to signed players who are not joining the tournament is “an injury/medical condition, which will have to be confirmed by the [player’s] home board”.
“It’s not [harsh] though, I kinda agree with it,” Moeen said on the Beard Before Cricket podcast, when he was questioned whether a two-year ban would be harsh. “A lot of people do that [withdrawing]. People have done it in the past, and then they come back in and end up getting a better financial package or whatever it is. It kinda messes up a lot of things as well at the same time.”
“It’s messed his team [Delhi Capitals] up, him pulling him out. Any team that loses Harry Brook is messed up a bit, and they’ve got to now rejig everything and stuff like that. Forget him for a second, if you do pull out, the rule is you get a ban, unless it’s a family reason or injury. If it’s an injury, it’s different. But I think if you just pull out, then it’s… I kinda agree with it [the rules].”
Delhi Capitals, who signed Brook for INR 6.25 crore (£590,000 approx.) at the mega-auction last November, were informed that he will not join IPL earlier this month through the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Brook shared on social media at the time “time to recharge after the busiest period in my career to date”.
Brook is playing for England in all formats, also he is considered to be possible captain of England’s white-ball team, after the resignation of Jos Buttler because of bad performance at the Champions Trophy.
Moeen, who is part of Kolkata Knight Riders at IPL 2025, felt the chances of selection of Brook as England captain may have led him to his decision of leaving IPL. England have two big Test tournaments upcoming in the year: a five-Test series against India at home between June and August, followed by the Ashes in Australia between November and January.
“It’s happened a few times before, England players have done it a few times before in the past,” Moeen said. “With him, he’s played a lot of cricket; he’s probably just thinking a little bit of a rest, there’s a big summer coming up, a big 12 months coming up.”
“England do play a lot though. He [Brook] plays all forms, he’s probably going to be captain of the white-ball side as well, he’s probably just giving himself a bit of a break. It’s been a tough winter, he’s probably just going to get his game in order a bit more. That’s all.”
