New Delhi, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
England white-ball captain Harry Brook has opened up about the intense criticism and social media scrutiny he faced during his only Indian Premier League (IPL) season with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2023, admitting that he found himself caught in a “rabbit hole” while dealing with the backlash.
Brook scored 190 runs in the 2023 season, despite producing a memorable century against Kolkata Knight Riders. His form dipped after that innings, and he came under considerable pressure from fans and critics.
Reflecting on the experience, Brook said the constant scrutiny affected 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. It didn’t help me as a person on the field or off the field,” Brook told BBC Sport.
The England captain said he subsequently decided not to actively seek out criticism on social media.
“I decided to, not stay away from social media, but also not go out of my way to look at it,” he said.
Brook also tried to view the criticism from a more positive perspective, suggesting that scrutiny indicated people expected more from him.
“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 was subsequently disrupted by withdrawals from the tournament. He was released by SRH after the 2023 season and was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 4 crore in 2024, but withdrew following the death of his grandmother.
He was acquired by DC for Rs 6.25 crore at the 2025 mega auction but pulled out again to prioritise international commitments. He was subsequently handed a two-year IPL ban and is eligible to return only from the 2028 season.
Asked about his enforced absence from the league, Brook said he “does not really” have regrets over his decisions.
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