Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has backed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ban Harry Brook from the IPL for two years after he withdrew from the 2025 season of the tournament. Brook, who was acquired by Delhi Capitals for INR 6.25 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, recently stated that he wouldn’t be playing in the next season, but he faced massive criticism.
Brook’s 2nd Consecutive IPL Withdrawal Creates Controversy
This marks the second straight year that Brook has opted out of the IPL after securing a contract. Last year, just before the tournament began, Brook informed Delhi Capitals that he would be skipping the 2024 season due to personal reasons following his grandmother’s passing. He had also withdrawn from England’s five-Test tour of India earlier this year.
Clarke Supports BCCI’s Firm Stand
Weighing in, Clarke feels the BCCI is right in their strict stand because it will set a precedent for all future cases. The World Cup-winning captain opined that some players withdraw from the IPL once they realize they haven’t signed a deal they think is worth it, and that is where the problem lies. He opined that such cases hurt franchises as well as the reputation of the league, so BCCI’s move was a step in the right direction.
“You’ve Got To Respect BCCI”
“What did Harry Brook get bought for? Imagine he’s on a full contract with the ECB and he’s been banned now. Because this is what happens as well. A lot of players go into the auction, they don’t get picked up for the amount they would like and then they pull out. The IPL says if you pull out, you get an automatic two-year-ban,” Clarke said on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.
“It sounds like Harry Brook is the first player to do that but I understand why the IPL would do that. Every player would like more money but once you go into that auction and you’re bought you’ve got to respect that and understand that you can’t just pull out because you haven’t been paid the amount that you want.”
