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Moeen Ali has expressed his views on the potential suspension of his former England teammate, Harry Brook, from the Indian Premier League (IPL), stating that he does not find the situation to be overly severe. Brook has withdrawn from his contract with the Delhi Capitals for the second consecutive year to focus on his international duties, with important fixtures looming, including a five-Test series against India and The Ashes series in Australia scheduled for later this year.
According to new regulations in the IPL, any player who withdraws after the auction may face a two-season ban, except in cases of injury or other health-related issues. Ali, who recently signed with the Kolkata Knight Riders for the 2025 season, shared his perspective during a discussion on the Beard Before Cricket podcast. He remarked, “It’s not [harsh], I kind of agree with [the IPL bans].” He noted that many players have previously withdrawn and then returned, often securing more lucrative contracts, which complicates team dynamics.
Ali emphasized the impact of Brook’s exit on the Delhi Capitals, stating that losing a player of Brook’s caliber forces the team to reconsider their strategy and lineup. “Any team that loses Harry Brook is messed up a bit, and they’ve got to now rejig everything,” he pointed out. Furthermore, he reiterated his support for the imposed ban on players who withdraw without valid reasons, underscoring the importance of discipline within the league.
Moeen: Brook’s Decision May Be a Need for Rest
Harry Brook is being considered as a prominent candidate to succeed Jos Buttler as England’s white-ball captain following Buttler’s resignation after a disappointing performance in the Champions Trophy. Brook could potentially assume leadership for both One Day Internationals and T20 matches, or just the latter, depending on future decisions regarding the captaincy for ODIs, as mentioned by England’s director of men’s cricket, Rob Key.
Ali believes that Brook’s withdrawal from the IPL aligns with his status as a multi-format player and his possible leadership role. He commented, “With Brook, he’s played a lot of cricket. He’s probably just thinking a little bit of a rest as there’s a big summer coming up, a big 12 months coming up.” He added that managing the intense playing schedule is crucial for Brook, especially as he prepares for international leadership responsibilities.
Further reflecting on Brook’s situation, Ali noted, “England play a lot and Brook plays all forms and he’s probably going to be captain of the white-ball side as well, so he’s probably just giving himself a bit of a break.” He acknowledged that the preceding winter season was challenging, suggesting Brook may be using this time to recalibrate his game ahead of a demanding year.
Additionally, England leg-spinner Adil Rashid commented on Brook’s potential suspension, stating, “You know going in this is the rule. You know the consequences [of pulling out], so I don’t think it’s harsh.” He highlighted that the IPL has struggled with last-minute withdrawals in recent years, disrupting team dynamics and emphasizing the necessity of enforcing such regulations.
Fans can look forward to witnessing all 74 matches of the 2025 IPL live on Sky Sports, beginning with the opening match between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Saturday, March 22, at 2 PM, with the final scheduled for May 25.
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www.skysports.com