Harry Brook has not played in the Indian Premier League since 2023. On Monday, the England white-ball captain explained why that season still has some bad memories in his mind. Speaking to BBC Sport, Brook reflected on his only campaign with Sunrisers Hyderabad. He arrived with high expectations and smashed a memorable century against Kolkata Knight Riders but despite that finished with just 190 runs. He said that the scrutiny that followed proved hard to escape. Before that hundred, Brook had already felt the heat of online criticism. He later admitted in the post match presentation after scoring a hundred, that he was happy in silencing some of those voices at the time. Looking back now he says his views have changed.

“I got into a little bit of a rabbit hole with scrutiny and social media when I was at the IPL. 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. 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.” Brook said to BBC.

The decision to make Joe Root the Test captain is the right one: Harry Brook

In the interview with BBC, Harry Brook also spoke about the Wellington incident and missing out on the Test captaincy. Speaking on the Test captaincy going to Joe Root, he said, “I honestly don’t know. I don’t really look at it like that. The decision to make Rooty captain is the right one. I’m actually really excited to see what he can do. He’s definitely the right man to take over that job. I’m really looking forward to working alongside him.”

During the difficult period after the Wellington nightclub incident became public, Brook said that he was proud of the character he showed after that incident. He also acknowledged that he now understands why supporters get frustrated with his batting at times, and reflected on how the experiences of the past year have shaped his view of leadership and responsibility.

“It was a tough period, especially when I was at home, getting ready to face the media. I feel like the character that I showed throughout that period to go out there and still perform and lead the white-ball side fairly well,” he said. 

Brook further commented, “I was proud of myself and the team. I don't want to say it's helped me, but it's made me realise how big it is to be England captain. It's not just the leadership on the field. It makes a massive difference if you can lead with responsibility off the field.”

Brook was released by Sunrisers after the 2023 season. Delhi Capitals later signed him for the next season but he pulled out of the season and was subsequently ineligible for the next few years. Recently he made a comment that he would love to come back to the IPL sometime in the future.