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Ben Duckett was signed by Delhi Capitals for Rs 2 crore in the IPL 2026 auction, but he has decided to pull out of the upcoming season due to personal reasons.
Why Ben Duckett can’t play in the IPL till 2029 after pulling out of IPL 2026 season. (Picture Credit: AFP)
England’s Ben Duckett has pulled out of IPL 2026. The 31-year-old left-handed batter from Kent, who was signed for Rs 2 crore by Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2026 auction on December 16, 2025, has decided to withdraw from the IPL this year to revive his England Test career after a flop show in the 2025-26 edition of the Ashes series. Duckett played all five matches for the Ben Stokes-led side in the Ashes this year but was only able to score 202 runs in 10 innings.
“It was a very difficult decision, and I want to apologise to everyone at Delhi that I won’t be coming,” Duckett told the Telegraph on Tuesday.
“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,” he added.
Duckett’s decision to pull out of IPL 2026 will invite him a penalty for two years, which means that he won’t be allowed to feature in the next two editions of IPL (2027 and 2028) as well.
Duckett will face a two-year suspension from the league according to the IPL rules issued by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. According to IPL rules, if a player decides to withdraw from an IPL season due to personal reasons, then he will not be allowed to participate in the league for the next two seasons as well.
Last year, England’s ODI and T20I captain Harry Brook also opted out of the IPL season due to personal reasons after earning a deal worth Rs 6.25 crore by Delhi Capitals in the mega auction. Brook was handed a two-year suspension, and due to that, he can’t play in the IPL till the 2028 season.
As Duckett’s replacement, Delhi Capitals will be allowed to sign a player, and there are many big names that the Delhi-based franchise can choose from to strengthen their squad ahead of the start of the season.
March 25, 2026, 20:07 IST
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