Delhi Capitals on Wednesday announced the signing of Afghan batter Sediqullah Atal as a replacement for Englishman Harry Brook.
Atal made headlines with his heroic 85-run knock against Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year. He has played 49 T20s across various competitions, scoring 1,507 runs at an average of 34.25, including 13 half-centuries.
He was identified in the Kabul Premier League 2023, where he smashed 48 runs in a single over. In that innings, he remained unbeaten on 118 off 56 balls, which included seven fours and ten sixes. He also scored a century in the tournament final, making 103 off just 42 deliveries.
Atal played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s title win at the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024, topping the run-scorers’ chart with 368 runs in five matches.
Hemang Badani, Head Coach, welcomed the left-hander to the franchise, “We are excited to welcome Atal to the Delhi Capitals. He is an exciting, young talent who has impressed everyone with his performances for both the Afghanistan youth and senior teams. Going into this important phase of the tournament, his presence will certainly add depth to our batting lineup.”
Harry Brook, who was got for Rs 6.25 crore, in the mega auction last year, pulled out of the tournament days before it started. He also faces a two year ban and will miss the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Any foreign player who misses the IPL after getting picked at the auction faces a two-year ban from the IPL unless he is injured.
"Any [overseas] player who registers for [an] auction and, after getting picked at the auction, makes himself unavailable before the start of the season will get banned from participating in the IPL/IPL auction for two seasons," as per the BCCI document shared with teams last year.
Brook opted out of IPL 2025 to focus on his England career while in 2024, he withdrew following the death of his grandmother.
"I have made the very difficult decision to pull out of the upcoming IPL. I apologize unreservedly to the Delhi Capitals and their supporters," Brook wrote on social media earlier this week.
"It is a really important time for England cricket and I want to fully commit to preparing for the upcoming series.
"In order to do this, I need time to recharge after the busiest period in my career to date. I know not everyone will understand, and I don't expect them to, but I have to do what I believe is right and playing for my country remains my priority and focus."
Delhi Capitals will be taking on Punjab Kings in their 12th league game of the IPL 2025 season on Thursday in Dharamsala.
Atal made headlines with his heroic 85-run knock against Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year. He has played 49 T20s across various competitions, scoring 1,507 runs at an average of 34.25, including 13 half-centuries.
He was identified in the Kabul Premier League 2023, where he smashed 48 runs in a single over. In that innings, he remained unbeaten on 118 off 56 balls, which included seven fours and ten sixes. He also scored a century in the tournament final, making 103 off just 42 deliveries.
Atal played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s title win at the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024, topping the run-scorers’ chart with 368 runs in five matches.
Hemang Badani, Head Coach, welcomed the left-hander to the franchise, “We are excited to welcome Atal to the Delhi Capitals. He is an exciting, young talent who has impressed everyone with his performances for both the Afghanistan youth and senior teams. Going into this important phase of the tournament, his presence will certainly add depth to our batting lineup.”
Harry Brook, who was got for Rs 6.25 crore, in the mega auction last year, pulled out of the tournament days before it started. He also faces a two year ban and will miss the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Any foreign player who misses the IPL after getting picked at the auction faces a two-year ban from the IPL unless he is injured.
"Any [overseas] player who registers for [an] auction and, after getting picked at the auction, makes himself unavailable before the start of the season will get banned from participating in the IPL/IPL auction for two seasons," as per the BCCI document shared with teams last year.
Brook opted out of IPL 2025 to focus on his England career while in 2024, he withdrew following the death of his grandmother.
"I have made the very difficult decision to pull out of the upcoming IPL. I apologize unreservedly to the Delhi Capitals and their supporters," Brook wrote on social media earlier this week.
"It is a really important time for England cricket and I want to fully commit to preparing for the upcoming series.
"In order to do this, I need time to recharge after the busiest period in my career to date. I know not everyone will understand, and I don't expect them to, but I have to do what I believe is right and playing for my country remains my priority and focus."
Delhi Capitals will be taking on Punjab Kings in their 12th league game of the IPL 2025 season on Thursday in Dharamsala.
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