Why Did Harry Brook Withdraw & Ben Duckett Decline IPL 2025 Contracts? Former England Opener Explains
Former England opener Nick Knight has shed light on why Harry Brook pulled out and Ben Duckett refused contracts for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Harry Brook was initially signed by Delhi Capitals (DC) for INR 6.25 crore in the IPL 2025 auction. However, he later withdrew from the tournament, leading to a two-year ban from the IPL.
Following this, DC approached Ben Duckett as a potential replacement for Brook, but he declined the offer.
In IPL 2024, 18 English players were part of 10 teams, though some pulled out mid-tournament. However, this season, the number has dropped significantly to just 10 England players.
Rob Key’s Influence on England Players
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 TimeOut show, former England cricketer Nick Knight explained that Rob Key, the managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), has been encouraging players to prioritize national commitments over franchise leagues.
England has a packed schedule, including a five-Test series against India and the Ashes. For key multi-format players like Harry Brook and Mark Wood, workload management has become crucial, as they are well-supported within the national team setup.
“Rob Key, who is in charge at the ECB, has encouraged players to play for England as much as possible. They have a five-Test series against India, followed by the Ashes. Players like Harry Brook and Mark Wood are well looked after now, and they need to be managed carefully,” Knight said.
He further noted that since the ECB ensures financial security and proper management for its players, they may not feel the need to participate in every T20 league worldwide. With new leagues emerging and IPL auction prices not always meeting expectations, some players are opting for other opportunities.
“There’s an element of that influence. So, they might not need to travel and play in every league. Other leagues are also emerging, and if the IPL auction price isn’t as high as expected, some players might prefer to play elsewhere,” Knight added.
Global Competitions and Their Effect on IPL 2025 Auctions
Nick Knight also suggested that recent ICC tournaments and global competition trends may have impacted player valuations in the IPL auction.
Using Sam Curran as an example, he recalled how Curran won the Player of the Tournament award in the T20 World Cup in Australia, which significantly boosted his value in the IPL auction. However, various factors have now led to some players being in less demand than anticipated.
“Some players’ stocks may not be as high due to recent ICC tournaments and the way global competitions have unfolded. Take Sam Curran, for example—after being the Player of the Tournament in a past T20 World Cup, he secured a massive bid in the IPL. But now, multiple factors are influencing player demand in the IPL auction,” Knight explained.
