England batter Harry Brook has been banned from participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the next two seasons after he withdrew from his contract with Delhi Capitals (DC) at the last minute.
As per the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s new policy, any player who pulls out from the IPL without an injury or family emergency will be barred from re-entering the auction for two years.
While the decision sparked debates, England stars Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid have backed the BCCI’s strict stance, calling it a fair ruling.
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Moeen Ali: “It’s Not Harsh, I Agree with the Ban”
Speaking on the podcast “Beard Before Cricket”, former England all-rounder Moeen Ali supported the BCCI’s call.
“It’s not harsh. I kind of agree with it because a lot of people do that. They pull out and then come back in later to get a better financial package. It messes things up for teams.”
Brook, who played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2023, was bought by Delhi Capitals for ₹6.25 crore in the 2024 mega auction. However, he pulled out at the last moment, citing his priority to focus on England cricket.
Moeen emphasized that such withdrawals disrupt team strategies and planning.
“Forget Brook for a second, but if you do pull out, the rule is that you get a ban unless it’s for family reasons or an injury. He’s a top player, they probably built their team around him, and suddenly, he’s pulling out. It’s unfair on the franchise.”
Brook had earlier opted out of IPL 2023 to be with his family after his grandmother’s passing, but this time, he did not cite a personal reason, leading to the BCCI’s strong action.
Adil Rashid: “Players Know the Consequences Beforehand”
England leg-spinner Adil Rashid also agreed with Moeen, stating that the rules were already in place before Brook’s withdrawal, and he knew the repercussions.
“This rule was set before, and Brook knew what would happen if he pulled out. So when you put your name in, you’re aware of the consequences. I don’t think it’s harsh.”
Rashid also pointed out that in the last 5-10 years, several players have been pulling out of the IPL, causing disruptions. The BCCI introduced this policy to prevent teams from being left stranded after the auction.
“Injury or family reasons should be exceptions, but otherwise, it makes sense. This has been happening for a while, and the board is trying to stop it.”
Why Was Brook Banned?
- BCCI’s Strict Policy – Players who pull out for non-medical or non-family-related reasons face a two-year IPL ban.
- Disrupting Team Plans – DC invested ₹6.25 crore in Brook but had to scramble for a replacement after his withdrawal.
- Precedents & Consistency – BCCI aims to prevent players from skipping IPL and returning later for a higher contract.
Brook’s absence has left Delhi Capitals without a marquee middle-order batter, forcing them to reshape their strategy just weeks before IPL 2025.
With Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid supporting the decision, the BCCI’s tough stance on contract breaches seems to have gained approval among cricketers.
