Former England captain Michael Vaughan has strongly backed the BCCI’s decision to hand Harry Brook a two-year ban from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after the English batter withdrew from the 2025 season to prioritize his commitments to England’s home schedule. Brook, who was secured by Delhi Capitals for ₹6.25 crore in the IPL 2024 mega auction, faced disciplinary action under the BCCI’s new regulations — designed to prevent players from backing out after securing lucrative deals and disrupting team strategies.
Vaughan, speaking on the Club Prairie Fire Podcast, explained that Brook’s situation, while understandable from a personal and career perspective, still fell under the league's clear guidelines. "I think they are right. The rules were the rules — they were announced at the end of last year’s IPL. If you put yourself into the auction, you’re effectively committing to play. Pulling out without an injury or legitimate reason puts franchises in a tough spot," Vaughan stated. He acknowledged that while Brook's focus on England is admirable, the IPL couldn’t allow such withdrawals to go unchecked, especially when teams invest millions based on auction results.
Vaughan also speculated that Brook’s long-term ambitions may have influenced his decision. "I get a feeling he’s probably going to be the white-ball captain for England down the line. He wants to channel his energy towards his international career — and England fans would surely appreciate that. But from the IPL’s perspective, they had to enforce the rules. Franchises spend money and plan their squads around these players. When a player backs out late, it derails the balance of the team," he added.
Brook’s history of last-minute withdrawals likely contributed to the BCCI’s stern action. He previously pulled out of IPL 2024 just 10 days before the tournament’s start, citing personal reasons. Later, he revealed that his grandmother’s death deeply affected him. Despite the sympathy his situation garnered, the BCCI’s updated regulations — introduced to maintain fairness for franchises — were enforced this time around, making Brook the first player to receive such a ban under the revised rules.
The Delhi Capitals, now left without a key middle-order batter, have yet to announce a replacement for Brook. The team will open their IPL 2025 campaign on March 24 against the Lucknow Super Giants. The franchise is reportedly exploring options to bring in an experienced international batter or a promising uncapped Indian player to fill the void left by Brook. The BCCI’s decision has sparked a broader debate on the balance between player welfare and franchise commitments, with many supporting the move to ensure IPL teams aren’t left scrambling after high-profile withdrawals.
