Ben Duckett has officially withdrawn from the IPL 2026 season, dealing a setback to the Delhi Capitals just days before the tournament begins. The England opener cited personal reasons behind his decision, emphasising the need to prioritise family time and refocus on his red-ball career with the national side.

Duckett, who was signed by Delhi Capitals for his base price of ₹2 crore, admitted that the decision was far from easy. “It was a very difficult decision, and I want to apologise to everyone at Delhi that I won’t be coming,” he said in an interview.

The 31-year-old also acknowledged the magnitude of the opportunity, calling the IPL the best T20 competition in the world and expressing disappointment at missing out on the experience. However, the bigger picture appears to have influenced his call.

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After a challenging winter that included a disappointing The Ashes campaign and limited involvement in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Duckett is keen to rebuild his place in England’s Test setup. He plans to return to domestic cricket with Nottinghamshire, focusing on regaining form and consistency in the longer format.

🚨 BEN DUCKETT OUT OF IPL 2026 🚨

Ben Duckett has decided to skip IPL 2026 to focus on his England international career.

Reports say he could face a 3-year IPL ban, similar to Harry Brook, after withdrawing post-auction. pic.twitter.com/lHMka8xIRm

— manzur shaban (@Manzurshaban123) March 24, 2026

“I’ve made this decision on my own accord,” Ben Duckett explained. “I’ve spent a lot of time away from home, and right now, being with family and playing four-day cricket feels like the best way to move forward.” His remarks underline a clear intent to extend his international career by stepping away from franchise commitments, at least for the time being.

For Delhi Capitals, this late withdrawal presents a significant challenge. The franchise must now identify a suitable replacement from the available pool of players who registered for the IPL 2026 auction. Adding to their concerns, Duckett’s withdrawal could potentially lead to a two-year IPL ban, in line with league regulations — a situation similar to what happened with Harry Brook after his pull-out last season.

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Interestingly, Duckett had also turned down an opportunity to join Delhi as a replacement during IPL 2025, further complicating his association with the franchise. As Delhi Capitals gear up for their opening clash against the Lucknow Super Giants, the focus will now be on quickly filling the gap and maintaining balance in their squad ahead of a demanding campaign.