Delhi Capitals suffer early blow as Duckett opts out of IPL 2026

Delhi Capitals have suffered a major setback ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League after England opener Ben Duckett withdrew from the tournament in a bid to rediscover form before a crucial international summer.

“I have given this a lot of thought, and it has not been an easy choice,” Duckett said.

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The 31-year-old left-hander has opted to prioritise red-ball cricket with his county side Nottinghamshire, aiming to spend more time in the middle as England prepare for a packed schedule across formats.

England are set to host New Zealand and Pakistan in two three-match Test series as part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle. They will also play white-ball series at home against India and Sri Lanka over the next six months.

The decision comes as a blow for the Capitals, who had signed Duckett ahead of the 2026 season in an attempt to strengthen their long-standing concerns around the opening combination. Alongside Duckett, the franchise had also brought in top-order batters such as Pathum Nissanka and Nitish Rana as they look to mount a serious challenge for their maiden IPL title.

Duckett’s withdrawal, just days before the start of the tournament, is now expected to force the Capitals to reassess their plans at the top of the order.

The England opener endured a difficult run during the recent Ashes in Australia, where he scored 202 runs across 10 innings. Hoping to regain the form that previously made him a key member of England’s Test set-up, Duckett has chosen to return to county cricket in search of rhythm and confidence.

“It felt like the best thing for me to do to be ready to play for England is to be here right now, at home, refreshing my mind and body. (I want to) play some four-day cricket for Notts, and try to find that form I had (early on) last summer,” he added.

Duckett’s struggles with the bat continued after the Ashes, as he found it difficult to produce consistent performances during a white-ball series in Sri Lanka leading up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Although he was included in England’s squad for the tournament, Duckett did not feature in any matches and watched from the sidelines as England were knocked out by eventual champions India in the semi-finals.

A reunion with former England coach Peter Moores at Nottinghamshire also played a role in the decision, with Duckett keen to work again with a mentor who understands his game closely.

“I want to work with Peter Moores, who knows my game inside out. It’ll be so refreshing and good for my game to go back to him. He’s a big part of where I am today,” Duckett said.

“He knows where I’ve come from and will be a massive help for me. He might spot some nuggets that I’m doing differently from a year ago. (I will) just keep everything open and relaxed, go back to the drawing board, and see if there’s anything to refine.

“This is a decision I hope I will look back on in 10 years and see as a pivotal moment in my career, and the right decision,” he added to The Daily Telegraph.