ECB chair Richard Thompson praised England’s discipline and highlighted Harry Brook’s choice to skip the 2025 IPL season to focus on national duty, calling it a defining example of commitment in modern cricket.
Brook’s decision meant turning down a lucrative multi-million-dollar contract and risking a two-year ban under the BCCI’s participation rules. Despite the financial setback, he chose to remain fully available for England’s Test and white-ball fixtures, a move Thompson described as “a statement of leadership and professionalism.”
The ECB has been pushing for players to prioritize international commitments amid increasing clashes with global T20 leagues. Brook’s stance underscored that policy, signaling that playing for England remains the highest priority even in the face of significant monetary sacrifice. Thompson noted that such decisions reinforce the culture the board is trying to build: one where national duty comes before franchise obligations.
Brook, who has recently emerged as a key figure in England’s plans and is widely tipped as a future white-ball captain, said the choice was difficult but necessary for managing workload and ensuring full focus on the national side. His absence from the IPL for a second consecutive year highlighted his dedication and raised his leadership profile within the team.
Thompson used Brook’s example to commend the squad’s overall discipline, stating that the England setup requires a “team-first mentality” to maintain standards in an era where players are often pulled between formats and leagues. He stressed that such sacrifices are critical if England wants to remain competitive at the highest level and protect the integrity of Test cricket.
The decision arrives at a pivotal time as England navigates packed schedules and seeks to rebound from recent challenges in both Test and limited-overs cricket. With the Champions Trophy disappointment still fresh and the West Indies series looming, having key players fully committed was seen as essential.
Brook’s call is more than a personal choice—it reflects a cultural statement that international cricket takes precedence. For the ECB, Thompson made it clear: discipline and loyalty to the national side are not just valued, they are the standard to which every player must aspire.