Ben Duckett IPL 2026 withdrawal: England opener Ben Duckett on Tuesday announced that he is withdrawing himself from the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, citing a desire to prioritise his international career. The decision, which comes four days ahead of the tournament, could culminate in his two-year ban from the competition.
The 31-year-old batter had been signed by Delhi Capitals for Rs 2 crore in the IPL 2025 mini-auction, but confirmed he would not travel to India. He said he has been mulling a focus on his physical and mental readiness for England’s busy summer.
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Ben Duckett[/caption]
Duckett terms withdrawal a ‘difficult decision’ on social media
Duckett penned down a story on Instagram, in which he termed the withdrawal a ‘difficult decision,’ outlining his long-standing ambition to represent the England cricket team across all formats. He also emphasised the need to reset after a challenging period, adding that staying back in England would allow him to regain form and fitness ahead of key assignments. He is set to feature in the upcoming County Championship, representing Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club from April 3, 2026.
Ben Duckett IPL 2026 withdrawal: Batter garnered controversies since his stint in ‘The Ashes’
Duckett saw a turbulent phase in his career. During the recent ‘The Ashes’, where Australia trounced England by 4-1, the left-hander managed to score just 202 runs in five Test matches. His struggles were compounded by off-field controversy, including reports of inappropriate conduct during a team break in Australia. The combination of his poor form and scrutiny appears to have influenced his decision to step back and refocus.
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A screengrab of Ben Duckett's Instagram story[/caption]
Risk of IPL ban looms over Duckett
The 31-year-old’s late withdrawal may come with dire consequences. The IPL governing council had introduced a rule in 2024, stating that any overseas player, who pulls out after being picked at the auction can be banned from the tournament for two seasons. Previously, a similar sanction was imposed on England’s white-ball captain Harry Brook, who was also signed by Delhi Capitals before pulling out of the league.
Batter issues apology to franchise
Notably, Duckett’s absence comes as a setback for Delhi Capitals, who had factored him into their plans for the 19th edition of the championship. The batter issued an apology to the franchise and its supporters, acknowledging the disruption caused by his last-minute decision.
Also read: IPL 2026: Yash Dayal ruled out of tournament amid legal proceedings in sexual assault cases, RCB faces setback