Brook banned from IPL for two years, Bumrah to miss initial matches for MI

England batsman Harry Brookhas been banned from the Indian Premier League for two years after he pulled out at the last minute to focus on international cricket, local media reported on Friday.

- 

The 26-year-old, considered a frontrunner to replace Jos Buttler as England’s white-ball captain, was signed to Delhi Capitals for the IPL season beginning next week.

Brook also withdrew from his contract with the Delhi side last season after the death of his grandmother.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has been informed about Brook's ban, an unnamed official from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) told the Indian Express newspaper.

The ban was part of a policy “informed to each player before they registered their name for IPL auction last year,” the official said.

The rules are designed to prevent late pull-outs from the money-spinning T20 league by overseas players.

Exceptions can be made, mostly for injuries.

Brook this week apologised on social media “unreservedly to the Delhi Capitals and their supporters” for pulling out of the league “to recharge” and focus on international cricket.