England batter Ben Duckett has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026, citing the need to focus on his international career.
In a statement, Duckett said the decision was taken to prioritise domestic and national commitments in order to safeguard his England career. “It was a difficult decision. I apologise to my team, but I won’t be joining,” he said.
The 31-year-old added that he had given considerable thought to the move, terming it the best choice for his long-term career. He acknowledged that, given his age, he might not get another opportunity to feature in the IPL, but expressed hope of returning in the future.
According to reports, Duckett has withdrawn from his contract with Delhi Capitals for the 2026 season in a bid to regain form and strengthen his position in the national side.
The development also means that Duckett will remain unavailable for the league until at least 2029 under IPL regulations.
It is worth noting that this was the first time Duckett had been picked by an IPL franchise, having been signed by Delhi Capitals for INR 20 million during the December auction.