In a twist that left fans and franchises reeling, Ben Duckett pulled out of IPL 2026 at the very last moment. The England batter, who has never played in the tournament before, had been snapped up by Delhi Capitals for INR 2 crore (£160,000 approx.). But just days before the opening match, he chose to prioritise his England career over a maiden IPL experience.
Why Ben Duckett Pulled Out of IPL 2026?
The decision wasn’t made lightly.
“It was a very difficult decision, and I want to apologise to everyone at Delhi that I won’t be coming,” Duckett told the Telegraph. “I’ve thought a lot about this, and know it’s the right decision for my career.”
After a difficult Ashes series in Australia, where he managed just 202 runs in ten innings, Duckett admitted that he needed to “process the winter” and rebuild his confidence. For him, securing a spot in the England Test squad is paramount, and playing a high-intensity IPL season could have jeopardised that.
“I’m desperate to play all three formats for England for as long as I can,” he added.
His struggle last winter has been well documented. His form slumped dramatically, with just one half-century in 28 domestic and international innings, making the choice to focus on the County Championship and training with Nottinghamshire crucial for Ben Duckett’s career.
Facing Potential IPL Sanctions
With his withdrawal coming just four days before the IPL kicked off, rules are clear: Ben Duckett pulled out of IPL 2026 at a time when franchises expect commitment, meaning he could face a two-year ban. The IPL’s player regulations allow for sanctions against those who withdraw after the auction without a confirmed medical reason.
Harry Brook × Ben Duckett ❌
After Harry Brook, Ben Duckett could be the next to face an IPL ban among England players.#Cricket #IPL #DC #DelhiCapitals pic.twitter.com/nXSDGogpKc
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) March 24, 2026
This isn’t the first time it’s happened. Harry Brook, Duckett’s England teammate, faced a similar penalty after pulling out from Delhi Capitals in 2025. It’s a costly move in both reputation and finance, as the deal’s value is lost and future IPL opportunities may be restricted.
Duckett, who had not played in the IPL before, was signed for INR 2 crore by Delhi Capitals.
Read more: https://t.co/Zw50jafuqi pic.twitter.com/Z0HtF4xSRF
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 24, 2026
The timing of Duckett’s decision has left many fans unimpressed. Critics argue that registering for the auction implies a commitment, and backing out so close to the tournament start caused major headaches for Delhi Capitals. Team strategy, overseas player slots, and fan excitement were all disrupted.
As DC star Ben Duckett pulls out of IPL 2026, likely to face 2-season ban like Harry Brook 😳🚫🙏 pic.twitter.com/qMj6oEa4pV
— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) March 25, 2026
“I would like to sincerely apologise to everyone at Delhi. I was genuinely very excited about the opportunity,” Duckett said, recognising the impact of his choice. Despite understanding the need to rebuild his form and focus on the England Test squad, many supporters feel this was a last-minute move that could have been avoided with earlier clarity.
🚨 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Ben Duckett🏴 has pulled out of the IPL 2026 to focus on his international career with England ❌ pic.twitter.com/qruTmtrSIq
— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) March 24, 2026
Conclusion
For Ben Duckett’s career, this may well be a turning point. Rather than rushing into IPL action and risking more poor performances, he’s dedicating himself to four-day county cricket and rigorous training, aiming to be at his peak for England’s upcoming Test series against New Zealand. As a member of the England Test squad, he’ll not want to sit again.
🚨BREAKING🚨
Ben Duckett has confirmed that he has pulled out of #IPL2026 in order to focus on his England career.#DelhiCapitals #DC pic.twitter.com/AfyFHp5ZZw
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 24, 2026
While fans and franchises may grumble, the batter himself sees it as a calculated step to protect his long-term international career, hoping that stepping back now will allow him to move forward stronger.
