Ben Duckett Prioritizes Family and County Career After IPL Withdrawal

After deciding not to join Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, England opener Ben Duckett hopes his team management will view his decision positively. Following a tough Ashes tour in Australia, where he struggled to score runs, Duckett has shifted focus to helping Nottinghamshire in the County Championship and rebuilding his Test career.

Duckett’s absence from IPL left Delhi Capitals without a strong opening batter in T20 matches. His poor performance in the Ashes, with just 202 runs at an average of 20.20 across five Tests, marked his lowest average since being recalled to the England team in 2022. Despite this, Duckett ended 2025 with strong numbers, scoring 735 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 40.83.

Speaking ahead of the County Championship, Duckett expressed his eagerness to spend time with his family and score runs for Nottinghamshire. He plans to catch up with England coach Brendon McCullum soon but remains focused on his own performance.

Duckett also admitted the challenges of opening against Australia’s pace attack, particularly Mitchell Starc. Reflecting on his struggles, he acknowledged the difficulty of balancing personal life, including marriage and honeymoon, with cricket commitments during the Ashes series.

Additionally, Duckett faced criticism after a video surfaced showing him appearing disoriented during a team trip in Australia. He apologized for his actions and appreciated support from teammates like Ben Stokes and Travis Head.

Moving forward, Duckett aims to prioritize fitness and professionalism to avoid injuries and maintain peak performance. He views the upcoming County Championship as crucial for regaining form ahead of England’s Test series against New Zealand later this year.