There are only 4 days left for the start of the IPL 2026 season, but just before that, a team has suffered a major setback. The hopes of this team, which has been planning its squad for the new season for the last 4 months, have been dashed. This team is Delhi Capitals, which has been ‘betrayed’ by England batsman Ben Duckett. Just before the start of the new season, English opener Ben Duckett has surprised everyone by suddenly withdrawing his name from the tournament. This has put Delhi’s preparations in trouble. Due to this action, Ben Duckett will now be banned from playing in IPL by BCCI.
This announcement of the ticket came on Tuesday 24th March i.e. just 4 days before the start of the tournament, which is to start from 28th March. He made this announcement in an interview given to an English newspaper, which surprised everyone. Left-handed batsman Ben Duckett was bought by Delhi Capitals in the auction held in December last year at a base price of Rs 2 crore. This was the first time that Duckett had entered the IPL and his place in the playing-11 was considered confirmed but now Delhi’s planning has come to naught.
Ben Duckett explained the reason for his decision to focus on his international career and said that he wants to retain his place in the England Test team, due to which he is withdrawing his name from IPL 2026. Duckett apologized to Delhi Capitals for his decision and expressed hope that he would be able to play for Delhi again in the coming years, but for now he called this decision the best for his career. This decision of Duckett has put Delhi Capitals in trouble and now the team will have to look for his replacement.
Due to this decision, BCCI action is now certain against Ben Duckett. BCCI had taken a big decision to stop the sudden withdrawal of names of foreign players after the 2024 season. The board had made a rule that in future, if any foreign player withdraws his name before the start of the season after being sold in the auction, then he will be banned from IPL for the next 2 years. During this period, this player cannot even send his name in the auction.
(News is being updated)