IPL 2023: 'Rest Harry Brook' — Former Australia bowler's advice to SRH after their 13.5 Crore arrival continues to disappoint

Shaun Tait wants the Sunrisers Hyderabad to drop Harry Brook for one match after he managed just 163 runs in nine matches.

SportsTak

• Fri • 05 May 2023

Former Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait wants the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to drop their star Englishman Harry Brook for one match given that he has managed just 163 runs in nine matches in his first Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. He was duck out against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad as the side are currently placed ninth in the points table.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Tait said that Brook's international career has gone well but he has struggled in the IPL, and a decision needs to be taken on him. "He plays those shots in international cricket and he has played it quite well in the past. It's been okay for him to start off with those shots. But at the moment, it's just not happening. Where they go from here with him, that is a question," said Tait.

Tait believes that SRH needs to hand the batter a breather for a game their current form and their position on the points table. The Hyderabad-based franchise has just bagged just six points in their opening nine matches and will need to win their remaining games for the slimmest of chances at qualifying for the playoffs.

"Where they sit now on the table, you give him a game off. I know that is a big call because you expect a lot out of him. You give him a breather for a game, just let him sit back and then come back in and hopefully get a score," Tait added.

Meanwhile, former India batter Deep Dasgupta opined that Brook is a really good player but has not been handled the right way by his franchise. After scoring the first century of IPL 2023 against the same opponents that beat them on Thursday night, he has scored just 34 runs in five games.

"A lot of players don't fit into a certain kind of franchise or environment. Harry Brook is a really good player. We have seen him playing for England or the other franchises as well. He has batted really well. But maybe this franchise or the way they are handling Harry Brook is maybe not the right way," said Dasgupta.

The team led by the South African Aiden Markram will now hope to defeat the in-form Rajasthan Royals when they clash at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Monday, May 8.