Harry Brook could face a two-year IPL ban after pulling out of the Delhi Capitals squad—Moeen Ali says the punishment is fair.
Harry Brook’s decision to withdraw from the Indian Premier League (IPL) for a second consecutive season has put him at risk of a two-year suspension, with former England teammate Moeen Ali insisting that the punishment is justified under the league’s new rules.
Brook, who was set to play for the Delhi Capitals, pulled out of the tournament to focus on England’s packed schedule, including a five-Test home series against India and The Ashes in Australia later this year. However, under revised IPL regulations, any player who withdraws after the auction without a valid medical reason faces a two-season ban.
Moeen, who will feature for Kolkata Knight Riders in the upcoming tournament, believes the IPL’s strict stance is necessary to prevent players from withdrawing at the last minute, which disrupts team preparations.
“It’s not harsh—I kind of agree with [the ban],” Moeen said on the Beard Before Cricket podcast. “A lot of people have pulled out in the past and ended up getting better financial deals later. It messes up a lot of things.”
Brook’s withdrawal has reportedly left Delhi Capitals struggling to adjust their squad just days before the 2025 IPL season kicks off on March 22. Moeen acknowledged that losing a player of Brook’s calibre is a significant setback.
“Forget him for a second—if you pull out, the rule is you get a ban unless it’s a family or injury reason,” Moeen added. “But if you just withdraw? I kind of agree with the rule.”
Brook’s decision comes at a time when he is a leading contender to replace Jos Buttler as England’s white-ball captain. His absence from the IPL could be a strategic move to prioritise international cricket, particularly with England’s Test and limited-overs teams undergoing transition.
Adil Rashid also backed the IPL’s strict rules, stating that players know the consequences before signing up for the tournament.
“You know going in that this is the rule. You know the consequences, so I don’t think it’s harsh,” Rashid said. “This has been going on for years, and the IPL is trying to stop last-minute withdrawals.”
With Brook’s future in the IPL now in question, the debate over player commitments to franchise cricket vs. international duty continues to grow. While some argue that Brook has every right to prioritise England, others believe that players should honour their contracts or face the consequences.
Whether the IPL will enforce the ban remains to be seen, but the controversy surrounding Brook’s withdrawal has once again highlighted the delicate balance between national and franchise cricket.
