Harry Brook Reconsiders IPL Participation
In a surprising turn of events, Harry Brook, the talented England cricketer, has expressed a willingness to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the future. This marks a significant change from his earlier stance, where he focused solely on international cricket and left franchise leagues, aside from The Hundred, out of his plans.
Before the T20I series against India last month, Brook had firmly stated, “I’ve committed completely to England cricket. I’ve said that I don’t want to play any franchise cricket apart from The Hundred, and everything I want to do is to play cricket for England.” He clarified that this is why he chose not to participate in leagues like the IPL and PSL.
However, during a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo at The Hundred event at Headingley, Brook expressed a different perspective on the IPL. “Yeah, definitely. The IPL is a great competition, and it’s a great experience. You leave over there as a better player. It’s something I’ll definitely think about in the future,” he said, showing his newfound interest in joining the tournament.
Brook’s Journey with IPL
Harry Brook’s connection with the IPL has been quite complex. He was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹13.25 crore in the 2023 auction and even made headlines by scoring a century in his debut season against Kolkata Knight Riders. Subsequently, he was picked by Delhi Capitals for ₹6.25 crore in the 2025 mega auction but decided to withdraw from the tournament. Last year, after the unfortunate passing of his grandmother, he also opted out of the 2024 season.
Due to his second withdrawal, Brook received a two-season ban based on IPL’s new overseas-player rules, making him ineligible for the 2026 auction. However, he is expected to be available again starting in 2027.
Impressive Performance Boosting Interest
Brook’s change of heart comes on the heels of remarkable performances for England and in The Hundred tournament. He played a crucial role in England’s 4-0 T20I series victory against India, shining with a stunning 79 runs off just 35 balls in the fourth match at Lord’s. His performance was instrumental in England’s successful chase, earning him the Player of the Match title.
In The Hundred, Brook has been on fire, smashing a rapid 50 runs in just 15 balls against London Spirit recently, contributing to the highest-ever total in the competition history of 241 for 2 by his team, Sunrisers Leeds. With a strike rate of 187.27 in The Hundred this season, it’s clear he is in top form for the shortest format of the game.
While Brook isn’t in a position to play in the IPL just yet, his openness to considering it could signal a new chapter in his cricket career. Given his current form, there will likely be significant interest when he eventually decides to step onto the IPL stage.
