England Captain Harry Brook Reveals 'Rabbit Hole' of Criticism During Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL Stint
England white-ball captain Harry Brook has opened up about the profound impact of criticism he endured during his 2023 Indian Premier League season with Sunrisers Hyderabad. The 27-year-old batter, who scored a century but struggled overall with 190 runs in 11 matches, described falling into a 'rabbit hole' of social media scrutiny.
England's dynamic white-ball captain, Harry Brook, has offered a raw and honest account of the mental pressures and public scrutiny he encountered during his challenging 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The 27-year-old revealed he found himself in a 'rabbit hole' due to criticism on social media, a situation that adversely affected both his on-field performance and personal well-being. Hardik Pandya's Gujarat Titans Return Fails Over IPL Captaincy Demand: Report
"I got into a little bit of a rabbit hole with scrutiny and social media when I was at the IPL," Brook disclosed to BBC Sport. "It didn't help me as a person on the field or off the field." His comments shed light on the often-unseen struggles top athletes face, particularly in high-pressure tournaments like the IPL.
A Season of Mixed Fortunes
Brook's highly anticipated IPL debut in 2023, after being acquired by SRH for a hefty ₹13.25 crore, began with significant struggles. He registered scores of 13, 3, and 13 in his first three outings, drawing considerable criticism from fans and pundits alike.
However, the Yorkshireman silenced his detractors with a magnificent unbeaten century (100* off 55 balls) against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on April 14, 2023, becoming the first player to score a century in both the IPL and the PSL. Following this knock, he famously stated his satisfaction in "shutting up" those who were "slagging me off."
Despite this spectacular individual performance, his form dipped again, and he ended the season with a modest 190 runs from 11 matches at a strike rate of 123.38, including three ducks.
Harry Brook's IPL 2023 Performance for SRH
| Statistic | Value | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 11 | |
| Total Runs | 190 | |
| Highest Score | 100* | vs KKR, April 14, 2023, Eden Gardens |
| Strike Rate | 123.38 | |
| Centuries | 1 | |
| Ducks | 3 |
Reflection and Future
Brook's experience led him to distance himself from social media, a decision he believes was crucial. "I decided to, not stay away from social media, but also not go out of my way to look at it," he explained. RCB Stays Most Valuable IPL Franchise at INR 2,983 Crore; Total League Value Hits INR 1.97 Lakh Crore: Report
Interestingly, the England skipper now perceives the criticism in a more positive light. "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," he added. "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."
Following his single season, Sunrisers Hyderabad released Brook. While Delhi Capitals acquired him twice subsequently (for INR 4 crore in 2024 and INR 6.25 crore in 2025), he withdrew from both seasons due to personal reasons and international commitments respectively. This led to a two-year ban, making him ineligible for the IPL until the 2028 mega auction. Brook, however, maintains he has "not really" any regrets about his IPL exile.
Brook's candid admissions highlight the intense pressure cooker environment of the IPL and the growing importance of mental well-being for professional athletes navigating the digital age. His journey serves as a powerful reminder of the human element behind the sporting spectacle.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 17, 2026 04:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
