Delhi Capitals (DC) has made a last-minute change to their squad and have finally announced Harry Brook's replacement for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Sediqullah Atal has replaced Harry Brook in Delhi Capitals squad
Delhi Capitals franchise announced on May 7, that they have signed Afghanistan batter Sediqullah Atal as a replacement for England's Harry Brook. Notably, for the second consecutive year Brook withdrew from the Indian Premier League, citing personal reasons. DC had acquired Brook for a whopping sum of Rs 6.25 crore in the previous mega auction. Following his withdrawal, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also imposed a two-year ban on Brook from participating in the IPL.
While Harry Brook's withdrawal occurred before the start of the tournament, Delhi Capitals have brought in Sediqullah Atal after having played 11 games this season. Atal is a highly regarded top-order batsman from Afghanistan who has an impressive record in T20 cricket, having played 49 matches and scored 1507 runs at an average of 34, including 13 half-centuries.
Sediqullah Atal first gained widespread attention in 2023 when he achieved the remarkable feat of scoring 48 runs in a single over during the Kabul Premier League. In that same innings, he went on to score a blistering 118 runs off just 56 balls and also scored a century in the final of the tournament. Furthermore, last year, Atal played a crucial role in Afghanistan's victory in the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, finishing as the highest run-scorer of the tournament with 368 runs in 5 matches.
"Delhi Capitals (DC) have picked Sediqullah Atal as a replacement for Harry Brook for the remainder of TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. England batter Harry Brook opted out of TATA IPL 2025 due to personal reasons. Sediqullah Atal from Afghanistan has scored 1507 T20 runs in 49 matches. The left-handed batter made his T20I Debut in 2023 and has represented Afghanistan in all three formats. He will now join DC for his base price of INR 1.25 Crore," the IPL's statement read.
Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals are currently in the playoff contention for this season's IPL. They occupy the fifth position in the points table, having secured 6 wins from their 11 matches played so far. Their upcoming game is scheduled against the Punjab Kings on Thursday, May 8.