Michael Vaughan Reveals Ben Duckett Rejected Delhi Capitals’ Offer for IPL 2025

England’s top-order batter Ben Duckett has reportedly turned down an offer to play for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Former England captain Michael Vaughan disclosed that DC had approached Duckett to replace Harry Brook, but the left-handed batter decided against joining the franchise.

Ben Duckett Turns Down Delhi Capitals’ Offer

Delhi Capitals, who had secured Harry Brook for INR 6.25 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, found themselves in a tough spot after the England batter opted out of the tournament. Brook withdrew before the start of the season, citing mental and physical fatigue following a packed international schedule. With a crucial spot in the middle order left vacant, DC explored multiple options, eventually approaching Duckett. However, Vaughan confirmed that Duckett refused the offer.

“I did hear a whisper that they (Delhi Capitals) went for Ben Duckett but Ben Duckett doesn’t wanna come over,” Vaughan revealed on Cricbuzz.

Why Delhi Capitals Wanted Ben Duckett?

Ben Duckett is a seasoned T20 cricketer with extensive experience in the format. Having played 205 T20 matches, he has amassed 5159 runs at a strike rate of 140.38, with 33 half-centuries to his name. Given his ability to play spin well and his aggressive approach at the top, he could have been an ideal replacement for Brook in DC’s setup.

However, Duckett’s role as an opener may have created a selection dilemma for Delhi Capitals. The franchise already boasts Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk as their primary opening options, while Brook was expected to play in the middle order. This positional mismatch might have been another reason why Duckett chose to decline the offer.

Michael Vaughan Questions Harry Brook’s Decision

While Duckett refused the IPL opportunity, Vaughan also questioned Harry Brook’s decision to skip the tournament. The former England captain believes Brook could have gained valuable experience playing in Indian conditions, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup set to be held in India and Sri Lanka.

“I actually look at Harry Brook’s game and I’m not too sure what’s going on away from the game. But in terms of his game to develop… you know, we talked about that bracket, that top bracket – Rachin Ravindra is in that bracket – Harry Brook is not in that bracket at the minute,” Vaughan said.

Vaughan pointed out that Brook still struggles against quality spin bowling, particularly on turning tracks. He emphasized that participating in IPL 2025 could have helped the young batter refine his technique in subcontinental conditions.

“To get into that 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. You look at Pakistan: when it’s flat, he’s been incredible, but as soon as the ball spun in Pakistan, he struggled a little bit,” Vaughan added.

Delhi Capitals Still Searching for a Replacement

Despite their recent thrilling one-wicket victory against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Delhi Capitals are still in search of a suitable replacement for Brook. The franchise has not yet made any official announcements regarding a new signing.

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