Ben Duckett receives three-year IPL suspension following last-minute exit from Delhi Capitals team.

English opener Ben Duckett has decided to withdraw from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 to focus on his international career, resulting in a two-year ban from the lucrative league.

Duckett struggled during the Ashes series, gathering only 202 runs, yet he was still acquired for ₹2 crore by the Delhi Capitals (DC) during the recent mini-auction.

According to the new IPL regulations, players who choose to be unavailable prior to the season’s commencement are barred from participating in the IPL player auction for two seasons.
“I have made the very tough decision to withdraw from the IPL. This decision has not come easily, and I have considered it carefully,” Duckett shared on Instagram.

“Playing for England is a dream I have had since childhood, and I want to dedicate myself fully to English cricket. To achieve this, I must ensure I am in the best possible physical and mental condition for the upcoming summer.

“I sincerely apologize to everyone associated with Delhi. I was genuinely looking forward to the opportunity to represent the franchise and highly value the effort and planning involved in assembling a team.

“I regret any disruption my decision may cause. I would also like to apologize to all the fans, as I understand how significant the team is to everyone in Delhi.”

The IPL is scheduled to take place from March 28 to May 31.

(With PTI inputs)