Former England captain Michael Vaughan has supported the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in its decision to impose a two-season ban on Harry Brook from the Indian Premier League (IPL) following the England batsman's withdrawal from the upcoming 18th edition of the tournament. Brook, who is speculated to be the next captain of England's white-ball team, was acquired by Delhi Capitals for INR 6.25 crore during the mega auction. However, he opted out of the tournament, marking the second consecutive year he will not participate after being selected.

Vaughan emphasized that players were well aware of the regulations beforehand and endorsed the BCCI's stance, noting that a franchise's strategy can be significantly disrupted when a player withdraws at the last moment.

"I believe they are justified in their decision. When you enter the auction, you agree to the rules that were clearly stated at the conclusion of last year's IPL. You commit to the auction, and then you withdraw without a valid reason. He is not injured; he simply decided against participating in the IPL and will remain in the UK," Vaughan remarked on the Club Prairie Fire Podcast.

"I have a sense that he is likely to become England's white-ball captain in the future, so he wants to concentrate on his commitments to England, which will please many fans. However, I think the IPL needs to implement measures to address this issue, as it disrupts the franchises. As of now, I don't believe he has been replaced," he added.

What did Harry Brook say in his statement?

Last year, Harry Brook withdrew from the tournament to be with his family following the death of his grandmother. Earlier this month, the right-handed batsman shared a statement on Instagram, announcing his decision to forgo participation in the IPL to concentrate on his responsibilities to the England team.

"I have made the very difficult decision to withdraw from the upcoming IPL. I sincerely apologize to the Delhi Capitals and their fans," Brook stated.

"This is a crucial time for England cricket, and I wish to dedicate myself fully to preparing for the forthcoming series. To achieve this, I require time to recuperate after the most demanding period of my career thus far," he continued.

Subsequently, the BCCI notified Brook and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) of their decision to impose a ban on him for the 2026 and 2027 IPL seasons.

"An official communication has been sent to the ECB and Brook regarding the BCCI's two-year ban, in accordance with its policy that was communicated to all players prior to their registration for the IPL auction last year. This policy is established by the board, and all players are required to comply with it," an official from the Indian Express reported.

Harry Brook made his IPL debut in the 2023 season, representing SunRisers Hyderabad, where he accumulated 190 runs in 11 matches.

Read Also: DC’s Double Blow: KL Rahul Likely to Miss First Two Games After Brook’s Exit

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