Defending Harry Brook’s IPL Ban: Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid Address Criticism

New Delhi: Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali, England cricketers, have voiced their backing for the BCCI’s ruling to ban Harry Brook from the Indian Premier League (IPL) for two years. The decision was made after Brook pulled out of the tournament at the eleventh hour for the second year in a row. Moeen justified the ban, stating that it was a necessary measure due to the disruptions caused by last-minute withdrawals on teams.

“It’s not harsh. I kind of agree with it because a lot of players do this,” Moeen said on the Beard Before Cricket podcast. “It causes a lot of disruption. Teams build their squads around key players, and suddenly pulling out forces them to rethink their entire strategy.”

Harry Brook’s Last-Minute Withdrawals

Brook had initially been signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 4 crore in IPL 2024 but withdrew before the tournament. In the IPL 2025 auction, he was picked by Delhi Capitals for INR 6.25 crore but once again pulled out. According to Moeen, repeated withdrawals without valid reasons disrupt teams and justify the BCCI’s strict stance.

“If you pull out, the rule is that you get a ban unless it’s for family reasons or injury,” Moeen added. “Otherwise, it creates chaos for the franchise, and I understand why the BCCI wants to prevent that.”

Adil Rashid Echoes Moeen’s Views

Adil Rashid also defended the ban, highlighting that players are aware of the rules before entering the auction.

“The rule was already in place, so when you sign up, you know the consequences if you withdraw,” Rashid said. “It’s not harsh. If a player pulls out due to an injury, the situation is different, but repeated withdrawals without a valid reason are problematic.”

Rashid further pointed out that last-minute withdrawals have been an issue in the IPL for several years, and the BCCI is taking steps to prevent teams from being left stranded.

With both Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid supporting the BCCI’s strict enforcement, the discussion around player commitments and auction rules in the IPL continues to gain momentum.