England opener Ben Duckett has pulled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, choosing to prioritise his international career over a rather lucrative deal.
Duckett confirmed his decision in an interview with The Telegraph, explaining that representing England remains his top goal.
“Growing up as a kid, I dreamt of playing cricket for England, and that was it,” he said.
The 31-year-old said he had secured a contract with Delhi Capitals but has already informed the franchise that he will not take part in the upcoming season.
His withdrawal means he will give up a deal worth $200,000 (over PKR 55 million) and could face a three-year ban from the league.
“It was a very difficult decision, and I want to apologise to everyone at Delhi that I won’t be coming,” he said.
Duckett also appreciated the opportunity offered by the franchise after being picked in the auction.
“I felt it was going to be a great opportunity when I put myself in the auction, and for a franchise like Delhi to pick me up was amazing. I was buzzing. It’s the best competition in the world with the best players, and it would have been an amazing experience,” he added.