Harry Brook Departs England’s Test Tour of India for Personal Reasons

Batsman Harry Brook has abruptly left England’s Test tour of India due to personal reasons, and the 24-year-old will not be rejoining the squad for any part of the five-Test series.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that Brook, currently in Dubai with the squad preparing for the first Test on Thursday, will be departing immediately. The ECB, on behalf of the Brook family, has requested privacy during this challenging time and urged the media and the public to respect their wish for privacy.

Following Brook’s departure, England’s selectors have named Surrey’s Dan Lawrence as his replacement for the tour. Lawrence, aged 26, has previously been part of Test squads under head coach Brendon McCullum but hasn’t played since the West Indies tour in 2022.

Several potential options from the England Lions squad, including captain Josh Bohannon and middle-order players like James Rew and Dan Mousley, were not chosen. For the upcoming first Test, England may opt to play both wicketkeepers Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes, providing more flexibility in the short term.