March 18, 2025: Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has weighed in on Harry Brook's recent decision to pull out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, along with the subsequent two-year ban imposed on him by the league. Brook, who was purchased by the Delhi Capitals (DC) for Rs 6.25 crores during last year's IPL auction, withdrew from the upcoming season to "recharge" after what he described as the "busiest period of his career."
Brook made the announcement on social media, stating that the decision was crucial for the ongoing success of England's cricketing campaign, as he needs to focus on international duties and recovery. However, the move left DC with the task of reorganizing their plans ahead of the new season.
Speaking on the "Beard Before Cricket" podcast, Moeen Ali expressed his agreement with the IPL's decision to impose a two-year ban on players who withdraw last minute, especially when it disrupts franchise operations. Ali explained, "It's not [harsh] though, I kinda agree with it. A lot of people do that [withdrawing]. People have done it in the past, and then they come back in and end up getting a better financial package or whatever it is. It kinda messes up a lot of things as well at the same time."
He further explained how a last-minute withdrawal creates chaos for the franchise that signed the player. "It's messed his team [Delhi Capitals] up, him pulling out. Any team that loses Harry Brook is messed up a bit, and they've got to now rejig everything and stuff like that," said Ali.
The two-year ban rule was introduced after several franchises expressed frustration over players, particularly English cricketers, pulling out at the last moment in previous years. In an effort to curb this trend, the IPL Governing Council declared that any overseas player who registers for the auction and then becomes unavailable before the season begins would face a two-year ban from participating in the IPL or future auctions. The only exceptions to this rule are for players who withdraw due to injury or medical conditions, which must be confirmed by the player's national cricket board.
Ali also emphasized that players who choose to pull out without valid reasons affect not only the franchise but also the integrity of the tournament. "If you do pull out, the rule is you get a ban, unless it's a family reason or injury. If it's injury, it's different. But I think if you just pull out, then it's... I kinda agree with it [the rules]," said Ali.
This new regulation, which was implemented ahead of the 2025 IPL Mega Auction, highlights the league's stance on managing player availability and ensuring that franchises are not left in a difficult position due to last-minute withdrawals.
Last Updated on March 18, 2025 by Disha Rojhe
