Ben Duckett Pulls Out of Delhi Capitals Ahead of IPL 2026, Faces 2-Year Ban

Ben Duckett has pulled out of Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2026. The left-handed opener from England was bought for ₹2 crore and was set to play his first IPL season. However, like his England captain Harry Brook, Duckett has decided not to take part. The 31-year-old said sorry to DC but explained that he wants to focus on his England career. Duckett remains an all-format player for the Three Lions but didn’t feature in the T20 World Cup 2026 and averaged just 20.20 in the Ashes 2025-26, scoring 221 runs in 10 innings. Fearing for his position across formats, he’s decided to pull out of IPL 2026 and play the County Championship instead.

“It was a very difficult decision, and I want to apologise to everyone at Delhi that I won’t be coming. I felt it was going to be a great opportunity when I put myself in the auction, and for a franchise like Delhi to pick me up was amazing. I was buzzing. It’s the best competition in the world with the best players, and would have been an amazing experience.

I don’t know if I’m potentially saying goodbye to the IPL, having never played in it. With the age I am now [31], it might be tough for me, but I hope one day I’m able to represent Delhi. But I’ve thought a lot about this, and know it’s the right decision for my career,” Duckett told Telegraph Sport.

Ben Duckett pulls out of DC to prioritise England career; faces potential 2-year IPL ban

Duckett will be banned from the IPL for 2 seasons. According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), a foreign player who pulls out of the league without a valid reason, such as injury or international commitments, would be barred for 2 years.

“Any player who registers in the player auction and after getting picked at the auction, makes himself unavailable before the start of the season, will get banned from participating in the tournament and player auction for 2 Seasons,” the IPL Player Regulations 2025-27 states.

Ben Duckett has pulled out of Delhi Capitals ahead of Indian Premier League 2026. The left-handed opener from England was bought for ₹2 crore and was set to play his first IPL season. However, like his England captain Harry Brook, Duckett has decided not to take part.

The 31-year-old said sorry to DC but explained that he wants to focus on his England career. Duckett’s reputation had further taken a hit after the Noosa incident, where he was caught heavily intoxicated late at night after England were already 0-2 down in the Ashes. This, coupled with his performance, might have forced him to rethink going to IPL.

“I could have gone to the IPL, spent time on the sidelines, then rushed back into the Test summer. I wouldn’t have time to process the winter, learn from mistakes, and go back to the drawing board with Notts. I’m desperate to play all three formats for England for as long as I can. This is a decision I hope I will look back on in 10 years and see as a pivotal moment in my career, and the right decision. It will being doing everything I can to be ready for England,” he added.

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