IPL 2025: BCCI BANS Harry Brook, sends strong message to ECB

England's batting sensation Harry Brook has been banned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for pulling out of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League without any valid reason.

Harry Brook was due to play for Delhi Capitals this season after being signed for the franchise for INR 6.25 crore. However, he abruptly pulled out of the season just a few days before the beginning of the tournament.

As a result, Brook cannot participate in the IPL for the next two years after this season. He has been banned according to the new rules put in place by the BCCI which involved banning a foreign player pulling out of the tournament at the last moment without any valid reason.

Also read: IPL 2025: Axar Patel beats KL Rahul to officially become Delhi Capitals captain

Harry Brook banned from IPL for two years

According to The Indian Express, the BCCI has sent an official letter to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Harry Brook to inform the cricketer about his two-year ban. A BCCI official confirmed that the rules had been put in place ahead of the auction and it will be implemented.

“An official communication has been sent to ECB and Brook about BCCI banning him for two years as per its policy which was informed to each player before they registered their name for IPL auction last year. It’s a policy set by the board and each player has to oblige to it,” the BCCI official said.

It is the second successive year that Harry Brook has pulled out of the IPL. He also pulled out abruptly before the last season when he was signed by the same franchise Delhi Capitals for INR 4 crore.

However, the rules were not in place back then and Harry Brook escaped a big ban. It is understood that he pulled out of this season to prioritize his national commitments as he is due for the role of England's captaincy after the resignation of Jos Buttler.

What is the new IPL rule?

According to the new rule, a registered player in the auction cannot pull out of the season after getting picked up by a franchise. If a player pulls out at the last moment, he won't be able to take part in the auction for the next two years.

“Any player who registers in the auction and after getting picked, makes himself unavailable before the start of the season, will get banned from participating in the tournament and player auction for 2 seasons," the new IPL rule says.

The rule change was due to many franchises complaining about the foreign players' late decision to pull out of the tournament which affects a team's gameplan and makes it difficult for them to adjust at the last moment.

The franchises asked for stricter rules which prompted the BCCI to make some changes in the rules. Brook won't be able to take part in IPL 2026 and IPL 2027 now but can be available for IPL 2028.

Why has Harry Brook pulled out?

England cricket is going through a transition phase after their dismal Champions Trophy campaign where they lost to Afghanistan and even failed to secure a place in the semi-finals.

After they were knocked out, Jos Buttler gave up the captaincy. As a result, Harry Brook is in line to become the next captain as he was Buttler's deputy in the Champions Trophy.

The ECB has also picked Ben Stokes as one of the names who can lead England's white-ball team. Brook cited the potential increase in his workload as one of the main reasons to pull out of IPL 2025.