England batter Harry Brook has decided to withdraw from the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to personal reasons. He was picked up by the Delhi Capitals at the auction in December 2023 for an amount of INR 4 crore. Brook had pulled out of the recently concluded five-match Test series between India and England as well and continues to be away from the sport.
He had pulled out of the Test series at the last minute, like he has done for IPL 2024, and then, the England and Walesh Cricket Boad (ECB) had sought privacy for the player and his family.
Brook’s last minute withdrawal has seriously put the Delhi Capitals in trouble in terms of their playing combination and will have to address it sooner rather than later.
They will also have to look at an able replacement now for Brook with reports suggesting the franchise is interested in signing a new Australian sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk. However, nothing is confirmed as of now with Delhi Capitals yet to confirm any development.
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Harry Brook second England player to pull out of IPL 2024
Meanwhile, Brook is the second England player to pull out at the last moment with Jason Roy who was picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders also doing the same. According to Cricbuzz, the franchises are unhappy with cricketers, especially from England, withdrawing from their commitments especially after being signed at the auction.
All the franchises are also reportedly considering to take up the issue with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). “Once players register for the auction, they should honour their commitment. Reneging on it is unprofessional, and the BCCI should address this,” a franchise official said.
As for Brook, Sunrisers Hyderabad had secured his services for INR 13.25 crore last season but he could only muster 190 runs at an average of only 21 despite scoring a century in one of the matches. His demand significantly decreased this time around with DC purchasing him for INR 4 crore.
The disappointing news hits Delhi Capitals only a day after BCCI declared their designated skipper Rishabh Pant fit for the entire tournament as a wicketkeeper-batter. The left-hander had survived a horrific accident in December 2022 and underwent 14-month extensive rehab to recover from serious injuries to his body.
But now that he has been declared fit, Pant has also joined the team in Visakhapatnam where the Capitals are slated to play their two home games in the upcoming weeks. Meanwhile, there is also a cloud over Anrich Nortje joining the team on time as his careful recovery from injury conitnues.
He played for the first time recently in the CSA domestic T20 tournament and bowled four overs. But then he is again slated to feature in the match on Sunday (March 17) and then the Capitals are also scheduled to play their season opener on March 23 against Punjab Kings.
Moreover, Nortje and his wife are also expecting their first baby this week which makes it a very confusing situation for the franchise around the cricketer.
