'Didn't help me as person': Facing IPL ban, Harry Brook reflects on criticism during SRH stint

England white-ball captain Harry Brook has reflected on the criticism he faced during his sole stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2023. Brook scored 190 runs that season, including a century against Kolkata Knight Riders, but his form declined after that impressive innings as he faced mounting pressure.

Looking back, Brook admitted that the scrutiny from social media and the media took a toll on him both on and off the field. "I got into a little bit of a rabbit hole with scrutiny and social media when I was at the IPL," Brook told BBC Sport. "It didn't help me as a person on the field or off the field. I decided to, not stay away from social media, but also not go out of my way to look at it."

Brook now tries to view criticism differently, stating that it can also show that people care about his performances. "On the other hand, I actually feel it's a little bit of a compliment if people are giving me scrutiny and have an opinion about my game. I know it's not a nice thing to see people slagging you off, but it means people care and people think I can put in a better performance than I have done that day," he said.

Brook's IPL career ended prematurely as he was released by SRH before Delhi Capitals signed him for Rs 4 crore in 2024. He subsequently withdrew from the 2024 season after the death of his grandmother, but was re-signed by Delhi Capitals for Rs 6.25 crore at the 2025 mega auction. However, Brook pulled out of the 2025 IPL tournament to prioritize his international commitments and was subsequently handed a two-year IPL ban under BCCI rules, making his return to the league in 2028 unlikely.