England batter Ben Duckett has opted out of IPL 2026 after being signed by Delhi Capitals, choosing instead to focus on rebuilding his form and safeguarding his Test career following a difficult Ashes campaign. The left-hander had been picked up for INR 2 crore and was yet to make his debut appearance in the tournament.
His late decision to withdraw could expose him to a possible two-year ban from the IPL, similar to teammate Harry Brook, who pulled out of a Delhi Capitals agreement last season. Duckett described the call as challenging but necessary for his professional future. He plans to reset both mentally and physically at home, work closely with Nottinghamshire coach Peter Moores, and prepare for England’s Test series against New Zealand scheduled for June.
Duckett’s recent form has been under scrutiny, with the batter managing only one half-century in 28 innings across formats since last August. During England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, he accumulated 202 runs from ten innings.
Duckett confirmed his withdrawal through an Instagram post, outlining the reasons behind his decision. “I have made the extremely difficult decision to withdraw from the IPL. I have given this a lot of thought and it has not been an easy choice.
“Representing England is something I have dreamed of since I was a child, and I want to give everything I can to English cricket. To do that, I need to ensure I am in the best possible place physically and mentally ahead of the summer. I would like to sincerely apologise to everyone at Delhi.
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“I was genuinely very excited about the opportunity to represent the franchise, and I fully appreciate the time and planning that goes into building a squad. I am sorry for any disruption my decision may cause. I would also like to apologise to all the fans as I know how much it means to everyone in Delhi.”
Withdrawal Could Lead to Multi-Season IPL Absence
Duckett’s decision to step away from the Delhi Capitals deal may carry significant consequences. Having been signed for Rs 2 crore, his exit after the auction and without an injury reason could trigger IPL regulations that impose a two-season suspension. Such a ruling would see him miss the 2026, 2027 and 2028 editions, making him eligible for auctions only from 2029.
Beyond financial implications, an extended absence from the league would also reduce opportunities to compete at the highest level of T20 cricket, limit franchise earnings, and impact his visibility in global T20 competitions. Duckett reiterated that his withdrawal was driven by a desire to prioritise England commitments, as well as his fitness and mental well-being ahead of the international season.
He also expressed regret to Delhi Capitals and their supporters, noting that while he had been looking forward to representing the franchise, he believed stepping back was the most appropriate move for his career.
