Why can’t Harry Brook enter the IPL 2026 auction or play in IPL 2026?

Harry Brook, a star player for the England cricket team, has not signed up for the IPL 2026 auction. In 2023, the outstanding batsman played 11 games for Sunrisers Hyderabad in his Indian Premier League debut.  

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In the IPL 2024 mini-auction, Brook was purchased by the Delhi Capitals for Rs 4 crore; however, he withdrew shortly before the competition began for personal reasons. He did the same in the 2025 Indian Premier League, and since then, he has been prohibited from participating in any more auctions.

Why can’t Harry Brook take part in IPL 2026?

According to IPL regulations, a player who is selected in the IPL auction and fails to show up for the competition prior to the start of the season will be barred from both the IPL season and the auction for two years.

After players complained to the BCCI about players withdrawing at the last minute in 2023, this rule was put into effect. Brook became the first foreign player to be banned for two years after withdrawing from the IPL after being sold for Rs 6.25 crore in the mega-auction.

“Any player who registers in the auction and, after getting picked, makes himself unavailable before the start of the season will get banned from participating in the tournament and player auction for 2 seasons,” the IPL rule states.

As a result, Brook won’t feature in IPL until 2028. He can register for the IPL 2028 mega auction. 

Out of the enormous pool of 1,390 registrants, 350 players were selected for the final shortlist, according to the BCCI. There are 110 foreign players and 240 Indian players on the shortlist.

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It's interesting to note that the list also includes 14 uncapped international players and 224 uncapped Indian players, indicating the league's growing scouting and talent-development reach. Teams will compete for the 77 open spots, which include 31 opportunities abroad.

Only two Indians, Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi, have joined the select group of 40 players who have classified themselves in the highest base-price band of Rs 2 crore this year. Franchises retained 173 players, including 49 international stars, prior to the auction.

Kolkata Knight Riders enter the auction with the biggest purse—Rs 64.3 crore—followed by Chennai Super Kings with Rs 43.4 crore.

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