Michael Vaughan endorses Harry Brook's IPL ban after withdrawal
What's the story
Former England cricket captain, Michael Vaughan, has backed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), for handing Harry Brook a two-year suspension from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The punishment was handed after Brook pulled out of IPL 2025, opting to focus on England's international cricket commitments.
This came after he was bought by Delhi Capitals in the mega auction for ₹6.25 crore.
Support for BCCI
Vaughan backs BCCI's decision, emphasizes adherence to rules
Defending BCCI's stand on Brook's suspension, Vaughan said the rules were made before the mega auction.
He said players must follow these once they enter the auction.
"You put yourself forward. The rules were the rules," Vaughan said on a recent podcast.
He added Brook's withdrawal wasn't due to injury but his own decision to not play IPL while pursuing his career in England.
Potential captaincy
Vaughan speculates on Brook's future leadership role
Vaughan also speculated Brook may be eyeing a future leadership role as England's white-ball captain.
He suggested this could explain Brook's decision to prioritize his focus on international cricket over participating in the IPL.
"I get a feeling he's probably going to be the white-ball captain for England down the line, so he just wants to focus his attention on England," Vaughan added.
Historic ban
Brook's withdrawal marks a historic 1st in IPL
Brook's withdrawal from IPL 2025 is the first case of a player getting a two-year suspension under the new rules introduced by BCCI.
The Delhi Capitals are yet to announce Brook's replacement for the upcoming season.
Notably, this isn't the first time Brook has withdrawn from an IPL season. He had also opted out of IPL 2024 just 10 days before its start due to personal reasons after his grandmother's death.
Words
Brook prioritizes national duty over IPL commitments
In his announcement about pulling out of the IPL, Brook apologized to the Delhi Capitals but stressed that his commitment to playing for his country comes first.
He said, "It is a really important time for England cricket... I want to fully commit to preparing for the upcoming series."
The decision came after he had earlier pulled out of the IPL 2024 season for personal reasons.