Harry Brook has made a dramatic change in his stance on the Indian Premier League, admitting that he could consider playing in the tournament in the future.
The England batter had previously been clear about prioritising international cricket and had ruled out franchise leagues apart from The Hundred.
“I’ve committed completely to England cricket. I’ve said that I don’t want to play any franchise cricket barring the Hundred, and everything that I want to do is to play cricket for England,” Brook had said before England’s T20I series against India last month.
“Hence the reason I don’t play in the IPL and PSL and all the other franchise competitions.”
However, speaking to ESPNcricinfo on the sidelines of The Hundred at Headingley, Brook struck a different tone when asked about the IPL.
“Yeah, definitely. The IPL is a great competition, and it’s a great experience, and you go over there, you leave a better player. It’s a very good competition to be a part of, and it’s something that I’ll definitely think about in the future,” he said.
The comments mark a significant shift from his earlier stance.
BROOK’S COMPLICATED IPL HISTORY
Brook’s relationship with the IPL has been complicated. He was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 13.25 crore in the 2023 auction and scored a century against Kolkata Knight Riders during his debut season.
He was then bought by Delhi Capitals for INR 6.25 crore at the 2025 mega auction but withdrew from the tournament. He had also pulled out of the 2024 season following the death of his grandmother.
Following his second withdrawal, Brook was handed a two-season ban under the IPL’s revised overseas-player regulations. He was therefore unavailable for the 2026 IPL auction and is expected to become eligible again from 2027.
BROOK IN PRIME FORM
Brook’s change in outlook comes after an impressive run of form for England and in The Hundred.
He played a major role in England’s 4-0 T20I series win over India, producing a match-winning 79 off 35 balls in the fourth game at Lord’s as England chased down their target with nine wickets in hand. Brook was named Player of the Match for his innings.
He has also been in explosive form in The Hundred for Sunrisers Leeds. Brook smashed a 15-ball fifty against London Spirit earlier this month as his side posted the competition’s highest-ever total of 241 for 2.
Brook has maintained a strike rate of 187.27 in The Hundred in 2026, giving an account of his impressive form in the shortest format.
For now, Brook cannot immediately turn his latest comments into an IPL appearance. But after once ruling out franchise cricket beyond The Hundred, his willingness to consider the IPL could open a new chapter in his career.
And if his current form is anything to go by, there is likely to be plenty of interest when that door finally opens.
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