England batter Harry Brook has opted out of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) due to personal reasons, leaving Delhi Capitals in search of a replacement. Brook, who was bought by Delhi Capitals for INR 4 crore, cited personal circumstances for his decision to withdraw from the league, which is set to commence on March 22.
Brook’s absence extends beyond the IPL, as he was also absent from the England team during their recent Test series in India. Originally slated to participate in the Test squad, Brook withdrew at the last moment, with both the England team management and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) requesting privacy for the player and his family during a difficult time.
“The Brook family respectfully requests privacy during this time. In light of this, the ECB and the family kindly request the media and the public to respect their wish for privacy and refrain from intruding on their private space,” stated the ECB in a release issued in January.
Upon revealing the reason for his absence on social media, the 25-year-old disclosed that his decision was influenced by the tragic passing of his grandmother.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, IPL franchises have expressed displeasure with the trend of English players withdrawing from commitments citing personal reasons. They argue that such abrupt pullouts disrupt their auction planning and have indicated intentions to address this issue with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
A franchise official emphasized the importance of players honoring their commitments once they register for the auction, deeming any deviation from this unprofessional. Previous instances of withdrawals, including those of Alex Hales, Jason Roy, and Mitchell Starc, have fueled frustrations among IPL franchises.
Efforts to obtain comments from Delhi Capitals officials regarding Brook’s withdrawal and their plans for a replacement were unsuccessful.
Brook, known for his contributions to the Bazball style under the management of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, had a lackluster performance in the IPL last year. Despite being acquired by SunRisers Hyderabad for INR 13.25 crore in the 2023 season, he managed only 190 runs at an average of 21. As a result, the franchise released him before the auction, where Delhi Capitals secured his services for INR 4 crore.
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