No sympathy for Brook! Moeen Ali backs BCCI's ban

Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali believes the BCCI banning Harry Brook for two years for his last-minute withdrawal from the IPL was "not harsh".

IMAGE: Harry Brook was facing a two-year ban from the IPL since pulling out of his contract with Delhi Capitals. Photograph: BCCI

It is the second straight time Brook has pulled out of the top franchise-based league after being bought at the auction.

"It's not (harsh) though, I kinda agree with it," Moeen said on the Beard Before Cricket podcast, when asked whether a two-year ban would be harsh.

"A lot of people do that (withdrawing). People have done it in the past, and then they come back in and end up getting a better financial package or whatever it is. It kinda messes up a lot of things as well at the same time," the all-rounder said.

England batter Brook was facing a two-year ban from the IPL since pulling out of his contract with Delhi Capitals ahead of the tournament beginning March 22.

"It's messed his team (Delhi Capitals) up, him pulling out. Any team that loses Harry Brook is messed up a bit, and they've got to now rejig everything and stuff like that.

"Forget him for a second, if you do pull out, the rule is you get a ban, unless it's a family reason or injury. If it's injury, it's different. But I think if you just pull out, then it's I kinda agree with it (the rules)," Moeen, who will play for Kolkata Knight Riders this season, said.

The 26-year-old Brook had earlier withdrawn from the 2024 edition of IPL following the death of his grandmother.

Any foreign player who miss the IPL after getting picked at the auction faces two-year ban from the league unless he is injured.

According to the new rules introduced by the IPL, Brook is not eligible to play in the event, or be part of the auction, until the 2027 edition.

"Any player who registers in the auction and after getting picked, makes himself unavailable before the start of the season, will get banned from participating in the tournament and player auction for 2 seasons," states the new rule.

Brook was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 6.25 crore in the mega auction in November. In the previous auction too, he was secured by Delhi for Rs 4 crore.

IPL will begin from March 22 with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders meeting Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Eden Gardens.