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In an era where franchise leagues dominate headlines, Harry Brook has made a bold and refreshing statement — country comes first.
The 26-year-old English batting star has officially taken over as England’s new white-ball captain, succeeding Jos Buttler in the role. With England facing a jam-packed calendar featuring a five-Test Ashes series, a five-match Test tour of India, and the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, Brook has made his priorities crystal clear.
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Brook Chooses Country Over IPL Millions
Brook, who was under contract with Delhi Capitals for the 2025 Indian Premier League season in a deal worth approximately £590,000, withdrew voluntarily from the tournament to focus entirely on England duties. That decision, however, came with a price — the IPL has reportedly banned him for the next two seasons as per their rules regarding player availability post-auction.
Still, Brook isn’t second-guessing.
“I won’t be playing any franchise cricket in the near future and I’ll be prioritising England,” Brook said at Headingley during his unveiling as captain.
“If I do get banned, fair play. That’s the rule they put in place. I’m completely committed to England. Losing a little bit of money here and there? I’d take that any day to play for my country.”
Franchise Career on Hold
Aside from The Hundred — where Brook will captain the Northern Superchargers — his franchise T20 career is officially on pause. Despite his rising stock in global T20 leagues, he’s made it clear that international cricket is where his heart lies.
When asked if any amount of money could tempt him away from England commitments, Brook was firm:
“Definitely not at the minute. I just want to play cricket for England and have a big impact on the side.”
Brook’s England Vision
With Brook’s leadership, England is hoping to rejuvenate their white-ball setup. Since winning the 2022 T20 World Cup, the side has slipped into inconsistent form, with tactical errors, injuries, and declining performances plaguing both ODI and T20 squads.
“There will be a few changes this summer in the way we’re going to play,” Brook hinted. “I’ll try to be relaxed, calm, and make sure we enjoy our cricket. Playing for England is a dream job, and I want the players to remember that.”
Brook’s appointment also allows Test captain Ben Stokes to focus solely on red-ball cricket as he navigates through chronic injuries — a persistent knee issue and recent hamstring problems being the major concerns.
Playing Every Game? Brook Hopes So
Despite the tight schedule, Brook remains hopeful of playing every England game through the T20 World Cup.
“I’d like to play every game, but if I require a week off and that’s what’s best for me and the team, then I’m sure that’ll be considered.”
He is set to skip the early rounds of the County Championship to rest, though he may feature in a single match for Yorkshire, most likely at Headingley on May 2 before England’s Test against Zimbabwe on May 22.
