Harry Brook Closes All Doors For IPL Return

Harry Brook closes doors for IPL return [Source: AFP]

When England’s Harry Brook burst onto the scene in 2022, he suddenly became this flashy player capable of terrorising the bowlers with his ultra-aggressive batting approach. It wasn’t long before the Englishman caught the attention of the IPL owners, and he was roped in by Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2023.

He had an average debut campaign and was released by the franchise. However, the Delhi Capitals bought him not once but twice (2024, 2025), and on both occasions he ditched them and didn’t play a single game.

Since then, he has been banned by the IPL for breaching the IPL contract twice. Currently, India is taking on England in a five-match T20I series, and ahead of the series finale, the England captain was asked about his IPL future, and Brook gave a clear-cut answer.

Brook reveals why he skips playing IPL

Ahead of the India vs England 5th T20I, Brook broke the silence on his IPL future, and he revealed why he might not play in the tournament in the near future.

"I think going to the IPL is a great experience. I really enjoyed my time when I went to the IPL. But unfortunately, I don't see a world where I can play it at the minute.

From my personal point of view, playing all three formats, and captaining two of the sides, I've got a lot on my plate with that, and that three months is a perfect time for me to have a break and work hard on my fitness and my game, and try and be as best as I can for English cricket," Brook said.

Brook is officially barred from playing in the league until 2028, and according to the English cricketer, even if the punishment is lifted, he might not play in the tournament.

Brook likely to be appointed England's Test captain

The England star is planning to carefully manage his workload as the right-handed batter is likely to become Ben Stokes’ successor in Test cricket.

Also Read: Harry Brook Shatters Arshdeep Singh's Confidence With Hat-Trick Of Sixes

Brook already leads the England sides in ODIs and T20Is, and now, the batter is set to be appointed as the red-ball captain. With England’s Test cricket going downwards, Brook will aim to stabilise the side.

Captaining one format is tough, and with the responsibility to lead England in all three formats, Brook doesn’t want to overburden himself by playing in the IPL.

How Harry Brook performed in the IPL

After an extraordinary 2022, Brook put forward his name in the IPL auction, and SRH came calling as the Hyderabad-based side acquired him.

The move was expected to elevate the Orange Army, and the 27-year-old was supposed to light the tournament with his dazzling batting, but none of it happened.

The dynamic batter played just 11 matches in his inaugural season, and despite a stellar century in the league, Brook finished the IPL 2023 with just 190 runs, with an average of 21, and a strike rate of 123.38.

The franchise eventually released him, and he was bought by the Delhi Capitals twice, but the player ditched them and gave personal reasons to take his name away from the tournament.

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