In a significant move just ahead of the crucial phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, the Delhi Capitals (DC) have announced that young Afghan cricketer Sediqullah Atal will replace England's Harry Brook for the remainder of the tournament. This decision comes as Brook, who has been a notable presence in the league, opted out for a second consecutive year to focus on his commitments to the England national team.
Harry Brook, the England white-ball captain, made headlines earlier this week when he took to social media to announce his withdrawal from the IPL, citing personal reasons. "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 said. He emphasized the importance of preparing for upcoming international series, stating, "It is a really important time for England cricket and I want to fully commit to preparing for the upcoming series." This decision follows his absence from the IPL 2024 due to the passing of his grandmother.
In a bid to fill the gap left by Brook, the Delhi Capitals have signed Sediqullah Atal for his base price of INR 1.25 crore. The 23-year-old left-handed batter has made a name for himself with impressive performances in various formats, including a remarkable showing in the Kabul Premier League 2023, where he scored an astonishing 48 runs in a single over and finished with an unbeaten 118 runs off just 56 balls. His innings included seven fours and ten sixes, showcasing his explosive batting style.
Atal's prowess was further highlighted in the final of the Kabul Premier League, where he scored 103 runs off just 42 balls, leading his team to victory. He also played a pivotal role in Afghanistan's success at the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024, finishing as the tournament's top run-scorer with 368 runs in five matches. His performances have made him an exciting young talent, catching the attention of cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
DC's head coach, Hemang Badani, expressed his enthusiasm about Atal joining the squad: "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." This sentiment reflects the team's optimism as they strive for a playoff spot in the highly competitive IPL 2025.
As it stands, the Delhi Capitals currently sit fifth in the IPL standings with 13 points from 11 matches. The team is engaged in a fierce battle for one of the four playoff spots, with several teams vying for the same opportunity. Their next challenge comes against the Punjab Kings on Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Dharamsala, which will be a crucial match for both teams as they aim to solidify their positions in the league.
With the addition of Atal, the Capitals are hopeful that his dynamic batting will bolster their lineup during this pivotal stage of the tournament. As the IPL 2025 season progresses, all eyes will be on Atal to see if he can replicate his domestic success on the grand stage of the IPL.
As the Delhi Capitals prepare for their upcoming match, fans are eager to see how the new recruit performs and whether he can help propel the team into the playoffs. The excitement surrounding Atal's debut in the IPL adds another layer of intrigue to an already thrilling tournament.
