England batter Ben Duckett has withdrawn from the IPL 2026, opting to prioritise his international career over franchise commitments. Duckett, who was set to represent Delhi Capitals after being picked for ₹2 crore in the 2025 auction, announced his decision on Tuesday. The timing of his withdrawal has come as a major blow to the franchise’s preparations. Duckett’s withdrawal carries serious consequences. As per IPL regulations, overseas players who pull out of the tournament after being bought at auction will face a two-year suspension. Now, Duckett will not be able to feature in IPL 2027 and 2028.
"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," Duckett wrote on his instagram account.
"I would like to sincerely apologise to everyone at Delhi. 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."
The decision also comes after an underwhelming Ashes campaign, where Duckett struggled for consistency, scoring 202 runs in 10 innings. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals will kick off their campaign on April by taking on Lucknow Super Giants.