'Didn't practice many days because I wasn't in the right headspace' - Carlos Brathwaite reveals challenges of being an overseas IPL player

The Indian Premier League is one of the most celebrated T20 leagues in the world. Not just the Indian players but the foreign players also look forward to being a part of this mega tournament. However, with the cutthroat competition of the league, there is pressure on the players to deliver. The West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite opened up on the various aspects of the IPL.

More often than not, IPL brings some enthralling contests to the fore that keeps the fans at the edge of their seats. The on-field demands of the tournament are naturally high, however, the players also have certain other commitments off the field. Whilst the IPL, the players have to fulfill their commitments of commercials.

The foreign players are also included in the ads and it is no brainer that the shoots are long. The schedule of the cricketers thus revolves around this wherein they have to shoot and then reach the ground for practice. Brathwaite, who has featured in the league, recounted the instances and stated that sometimes it was difficult to get in the right headspace to go and practice in the nets.

Carlos Brathwaite explains the pressure on overseas players in the IPL

“IPL is probably the biggest beast when it comes to ads and video shoots, photoshoots. So much happens around. You have to get on the bus and have a clear mind to then go and practice. Many days, I would be like I can’t practice, because I was not in the right headspace to go there and face a Mohammed Shami in the nets.

“So there is so much around it that you need to be able to compartmentalize. When you are off the field you are doing ads and other things. But once you get to practice the game, you need to completely switch off and concentrate on the job in hand,” Carlos Brathwaite said in an interaction with ESPNcricinfo.

The West Indies all-rounder recently praised RCB pacer Harshal Patel after he delivered a splendid spell against the five-time champions Mumbai Indians. Patel bowled a few slower deliveries that helped him to register a hattrick against MI. Brathwaite also added that Patel’s slower deliveries reminded him of Dwayne Bravo.