England's Harry Brook banned from IPL for two years

New Delhi, 14 March  - England batsman Harry Brook has been banned from the Indian Premier League for two years after he pulled out at the last minute to focus on international cricket, local media reported Friday.

The 26-year-old, considered a frontrunner to replace Jos Buttler as England's
white-ball captain, was signed to Delhi Capitals for the IPL season beginning
next week.

Brook also withdrew from his contract with the Delhi side last season after
the death of his grandmother.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has been informed about Brooks's
ban, an unnamed official from the Board of Control for Cricket in Indian (BCCI) told the Indian Express newspaper.

The ban was part of a policy "informed to each player before they registered
their name for IPL auction last year", the official said.

The rules are designed to prevent late pullouts from the money-spinning T20
league by overseas players.

Exceptions can be made, mostly for injuries.

Brook this week apologised on social media "unreservedly to the Delhi Capitals and their supporters" for pulling out of the league "to recharge" and focus on international cricket.

Brook has played one season in the IPL, for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2023, when
he scored a 55-ball century against Kolkata Knight Riders.

The 2025 IPL begins on March 22 when defending champions Kolkata host Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens.