Ben Duckett Withdraws from IPL to Prioritize England Test Spot
England opener Ben Duckett has withdrawn from the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) and now faces a three-year ban from the tournament after deciding to focus on county cricket to secure his place in England’s Test team.
The 31-year-old was signed by Delhi Capitals during the December auction in a deal worth £200,000. With the IPL starting this weekend, Duckett was expected to miss the first two months of the English domestic season.
However, following a disappointing Ashes series where he played all five Tests in England’s 4-1 defeat and recorded a highest score of just 42, combined with extensive travel after serving as a reserve during the recent T20 World Cup, Duckett chose to play for county champions Nottinghamshire instead.
“It was a very difficult decision, and I want to apologise to everyone at Delhi that I won’t be coming,” Duckett said. “I’ve spent a lot of time away from home in different places, and it felt like the best thing for me to do to be ready to play for England is to be here right now, at home, refreshing my mind and body.
“More importantly, play some four-day cricket for Notts, and try to find that form I had last summer. My journey into the Test team has come from county cricket.”
According to IPL regulations, players who withdraw after being signed at auction for reasons other than injury are prohibited from participating in the tournament for three seasons. Duckett follows Harry Brook, who also signed for Delhi in 2025 but withdrew to prioritize his England career.
England’s Test Side Under Pressure After Ashes Defeat
Despite the recent Ashes loss, England have retained their existing management but face pressure to refresh the squad. It is anticipated that Duckett’s opening partner, Zak Crawley, may be more likely to lose his place after failing to justify an extended run in the team.
While Duckett’s performance in Australia was below expectations—particularly struggling against bowler Mitchell Starc—he has maintained a solid overall record since returning to the Test side in 2022, averaging 42 and scoring six centuries.
Duckett also faces the task of rebuilding his reputation following a video that surfaced on social media showing him intoxicated during the team’s mid-tour break in Noosa, prior to the Boxing Day Test.
“I am sorry for that incident, it was not professional and shouldn’t have happened. There is no hiding away from it.”
