Pulling out of the tournament wasn’t something taken lightly. Ben Duckett told Delhi Capitals he won’t be partaking in IPL 2026. Bought at Rs 2 crore during the auction, his role was likely setting up plays alongside KL Rahul upfront. The move comes after deep reflection, far from impulsive. Because of stepping away now, a two-season suspension could follow from league officials. Saying so publicly felt necessary, even if tough. Becoming part of England’s team has been a dream since my earliest years, yet now it feels closer than ever. Giving fully to English cricket means focusing hard on what matters most. Staying strong in body and mind before the summer begins – that’s where attention must go, Duckett shared through an Instagram post.
“I would like to sincerely apologise to everyone at Delhi. I was genuinely very excited about the opportunity to represent the franchise, and I fully appreciate the time and planning that goes into building a squad. I am sorry for any disruption my decision may cause. I would also like to apologise to all the fans as I know how much it means to everyone in Delhi.”
After struggling through a tough season overseas, Duckett opted out of the IPL. His scores during the winter didn’t help – just 221 runs across the Ashes, averaging 20.2 from the left-hand side. Named in the 2026 T20 World Cup group, he stayed on the sidelines throughout. Not one match saw him take the field.
“Everything I had done for four years was building to that moment,” he said.
Maybe those twelve months should’ve been the peak. Marriage came in October – solid, real, something to hold onto. After that? Dreams of lifting the Ashes under southern skies, stepping into a World Cup, coming out on top. That was the plan when the cold season began. The wedding part stuck, yes – and joy lives there. Everything else though? Well, it bent sharply off track, almost comically bad.
