Harry Brook withdraws from IPL 2024 for personal reasons

England batter Harry Brook has withdrawn from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 to spend more time with family after his grandmother's death last month. Initially set to be a part of the England squad for the Test series against India, Brook had pulled out of the series at the last minute and flew back to England after their training in Abu Dhabi. 

"I can confirm that I have made the very difficult decision not to play in the upcoming IPL. I was so excited to be picked by Delhi Capitals and was so looking forward to joining up with everyone. Whilst I don't think I should need to share my personal reasons behind this decision, I know there will be many asking why. So I do want to share this," Brook said in a statement on Social Media.

"I lost my grandmother last month - she was a rock to me and I spent a huge amount of my childhood in her home; my attitude to life and love for cricket was shaped by her and my late grandfather. When at home, there would hardly be a day go by that didn't include seeing her. It makes me so happy that she was able to see me play cricket for England. I'm proud that she could collect some of the awards I have won over the last couple of years when I couldn't be there and I know she enjoyed doing that.

"I made the decision to leave the India Test tour the night before we flew from Abu Dhabi to India because I was told for the first time that my grandmother was ill and didn't have long left. Now that she has passed my family and I are grieving and I need to be around them. Over the last few years I have learned to prioritise my mental wellbeing and that of my family's, honestly nothing is more important to me than family. So whilst this may come as surprising to some, I know it's the right decision for me. I'm young and hope to have many, many more years of cricket to come which I intend to make the absolute most of."

Brook was purchased by Delhi Capitals (DC) for INR 4 crore, and it is understood that the franchise is seeking a replacement for him. Ahead of IPL 2023, Brook was brought by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for INR 13.25 crore but was released after he managed just 190 runs at 21. 

Recently, Jason Roy pulled out of the tournament, and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have, as a result, named Phil Salt as his replacement.