Ben Duckett has withdrawn from the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), disappointing both fans and the Delhi Capitals team ahead of the new season. The England opener, purchased for INR 2 crore by the Delhi franchise, was set to partner with KL Rahul as an opening batsman in the marquee T20 league.
However, days before the tournament begins, Duckett decided to skip the IPL to focus on his International duties with England, impacting Delhi’s preparations.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar expressed his concerns about this development. He criticized the tendency of overseas players to withdraw at the last minute and suggested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reevaluate its policies.
“It is a tough one. Ben Duckett had a strong Ashes series, and if he hadn’t been bought for a good price at The Hundred auction, perhaps things would have been different. Given his good performance, he likely prefers to focus on his England Test career,” Gavaskar said, as quoted by NDTV Sports.
“Indeed, the BCCI should consider changes because the current two-year ban does not seem effective. They need to implement something that will genuinely influence player decisions regarding their participation in the IPL,” he added.
Currently, the BCCI enforces a rule that imposes a two-year ban on overseas players who withdraw from the IPL at the last minute, preventing their participation and entry into future auctions during that time.