Delhi Capitals Mentor Breaks Silence On England Star Who Was Handed Two-Year IPL Ban

Delhi Capitals (DC) mentor and former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has expressed disappointment over young England batter Harry Brook pulling out of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Pietersen said Brook has technical flaws while facing spin in the subcontinent and he had hoped to help the 26-year-old improve. Brook had been bought by DC for Rs 6.25 crore in the IPL mega auction last year, but withdrew before the season began, citing the need to "recharge himself" before a busy season with the England team. Almost a month later, Brook was appointed as England's new white-ball captain, replacing Jos Buttler after the team's poor performances in recent ICC tournaments.

Brook had also skipped last year's IPL due to personal reasons -- the death of his grandmother -- and missed England's tour of India. As per IPL rules, he has now been banned from participating in the league for two years after withdrawing twice in a row.

Brook played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2023, scoring 190 runs in 11 matches at an average of 22.11. His only major knock was a century against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Pietersen said that he was "bitterly disappointed" with Brook missing out on the experience of playing the league since he wanted to work with him on correcting his technical flaws while playing spin in India.

"I told him, I was like, 'Dude, I am gutted that I cannot work with you for a few months.' I think that he is a star... You do not hit one ball over extra cover and the next, same ball, over midwicket if you cannot play,' said Pietersen.

"So he can properly play, but he has technical flaws in the subcontinent -- in India, in particular. I really wanted to work with him, but