So, Michael Clarke, the ex-Australia captain, is backing the BCCI’s decision to ban Harry Brook from the IPL for a couple of years. This all started when Brook bailed on the competition after the Delhi Capitals picked him up for a cool Rs 6.25 crore at the big auction. Apparently, the BCCI has a rule that says if you get bought at the auction and then decide to bail, you’re banned for two years.
Clarke gets where the BCCI is coming from, saying it sets a standard. He thinks players shouldn’t just bail because they didn’t get the price they wanted at the auction, and that pulling out should only be for real emergencies.
Clarke mentioned on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, What did Harry Brook get bought for? Imagine he’s on a full contract with the ECB and he’s been banned now. Because this is what happens as well. A lot of players go into the auction, they don’t get picked up for the amount they would like and then they pull out. The IPL says if you pull out, you get an automatic two-year-ban,
He added, I get why the IPL would do that. Everyone wants more money, but once you’re in that auction and get bought, you’ve got to respect that. You can’t just bail because you didn’t get paid what you wanted.
Clarke thinks Brook is a great player and will be back in the IPL someday. Still, he made it clear that players can’t just ditch the competition without a good reason.
He is a wonderful player and I have no doubt that he will be part of the IPL, if he wants to, moving forward. But he’s probably got his reasons. That’s the other thing. Every individual will have to make this choice – IPL or domestic competition. You have the choice to go in.
Clarke recalled an instance when he had to leave because of a death in his family. I can’t remember whether it was the first year or the second, but I pulled out because somebody in my family passed away. I come home to be there for the family, funeral and all that. So if there are personal reasons, I think the IPL will understand and respect that but if it’s because you’re not getting the money you want, they are going to crack down on that. And you have to respect that, he said. He thinks the IPL will be cool with personal reasons, but if you’re just ditching for money, they’re going to come down hard, and you have to respect that.
