England’s hard-hitting all-rounder Harry Brook pulled out of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Brook was expected to join Delhi Capitals (DC) but took the decision 10 days ahead of their IPL 2024 campaign opener. In a statement, Brook said that he took the difficult decision after losing his grandmother last month.
"I can confirm that I have made the very difficult decision not to play in the upcoming IPL," Brook said in a statement. "I was so excited to be picked by Delhi Capitals and was so looking forward to joining up with everyone. Whilst I don't think I should need to share my personal reasons behind this decision, I know there will be many asking why. So I do want to share this.
"I lost my grandmother last month - she was a rock to me and I spent a huge amount of my childhood in her home; my attitude to life and love for cricket was shaped by her and my late grandfather. When at home, there would hardly be a day go by that didn't include seeing her. It makes me so happy that she was able to see me play cricket for England. I'm proud that she could collect some of the awards I have won over the last couple of years when I couldn't be there and I know she enjoyed doing that.
Brook wants to spend time with family
Before pulling out of IPL 2024, he skipped England’s Test tour of India as well. He flew back from India to England before the first Test in Hyderabad.
"I made the decision to leave the India Test tour the night before we flew from Abu Dhabi to India because I was told for the first time that my grandmother was ill and didn't have long left," he said. "Now that she has passed my family and I are grieving and I need to be around them. Over the last few years I have learned to prioritise my mental wellbeing and that of my family's, honestly nothing is more important to me than family. So whilst this may come as surprising to some, I know it's the right decision for me. I'm young and hope to have many, many more years of cricket to come which I intend to make the absolute most of.
"I couldn't be more grateful for the support I have received, especially from the ECB and Delhi Capitals, thank you."
Who will fill in for Brook?
After getting released by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Brook was roped in by DC for Rs 4 crore in the auction. He was expected to bolster DC’s middle order. Tristan Stubbs may get the role in Brook’s absence.
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