Michael Vaughan recently revealed that Delhi Capitals (DC) had their eyes on Ben Duckett to replace Harry Brook, who withdrew from IPL 2025. However, the English opener declined the offer, leaving the franchise still searching for a suitable alternative. Brook, initially secured by DC for a hefty ₹6.25 crore during the 2025 mega auction, announced his decision to withdraw just before the tournament began.

The explosive batter cited the need to “recharge after the busiest period of my career to date” and focus on his international commitments. Despite their thrilling one-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants, DC remains in a dilemma about who will fill the void left by Brook’s absence.

Michael Vaughan, speaking to Cricbuzz, shared, “I did hear a whisper that they (Delhi Capitals) went for Ben Duckett, but Ben Duckett doesn’t wanna come over.” Duckett’s refusal adds to DC’s challenges, as they explore options to replace a player whose aggressive batting style could have made a significant impact.

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Brook’s withdrawal comes at a time when he is being considered a strong contender to take over as England’s white-ball captain after Jos Buttler. On the other hand, Duckett, with a vast T20 experience of 205 matches and 5,159 runs at a strike rate of 140.38, could have brought stability and firepower to DC’s lineup.

However, the prospect of him competing with seasoned openers like Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk might have factored into his decision to decline the offer. Reflecting on Brook’s decision, Vaughan expressed his belief that playing in the IPL would have been valuable for Brook’s growth, particularly in handling spin — an area where he has struggled outside of flat tracks.

“To get into that top bracket, what does he need to get better at? Playing spin. Playing in India. That’s the one area of his game he needs to improve,” Michael Vaughan remarked.

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With a T20 World Cup scheduled in India and Sri Lanka next year, Vaughan felt that the IPL could have been the perfect platform for Brook to refine his skills and prepare for the challenging subcontinental conditions. As DC navigates this setback, they must find a player who can complement their plans for the season while coping with the absence of a highly anticipated overseas star.