Harry Brook

Harry Brook confirms reason for international absence, withdraws from IPL 2024

Young England batter Harry Brook has confirmed his withdrawal from the upcoming IPL after the death of his grandmother.

Brook pulled out of England's recently completed Test series in India late January to be with his family, leaving the team during the his team's prepatory camp in UAE.

The 25-year-old has since made the "difficult decision" to also sit out the 2024 IPL, clarifying the situation surrounding his recent absence.

"I was so excited to be picked by Delhi Capitals and was so looking forward to joining up with everyone," Brook said in a statement on Instagram.

"Whilst I don't think I should need to share my personal reasons behind this decision, I know there will be many asking why. So I do want to share this. I lost my grandmother last month - she was a rock to me and I spent a huge amount of my childhood in her home; my attitude to life and love for cricket was shaped by her and my late grandfather.

"When at home, there would hardly be a day go by that didn't include seeing her. It makes me so happy that she was able to see me play cricket for England. I'm proud that she could collect some of the awards I have won over the last couple of years when I couldn't be there and I know she enjoyed doing that."

Having missed the Test tour, Brook explained the need to return to the UK before the final leg of England's trip to India.

"I made the decision to leave the India Test tour the night before we flew from Abu Dhabi to India because I was told for the first time that my grandmother was ill and didn't have long left," he continued.

"Now that she has passed my family and I are grieving and I need to be around them."

Brook boasts four centuries in his 12 Test appearances for England thus far, and has made a total of 44 international white-ball appearances.

In the latest edition of the ICC Review, Delhi Capitals coach and ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting gives his insight on how wicket-keeper/batter Rishabh Pant will reintegrate into the IPL setup.

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