A look at players who took mental break from cricket
What's the story
Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell, on April 16, announced that he has taken a break from the ongoing Indian Premier League season.
Maxwell made the decision a day after his franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad in a historic IPL 2024 encounter.
This is not the first such instance in the sport's history. Several other players have opted for such breaks to resuscitate.
#1
Glenn Maxwell (2024)
Before opting for a break, Maxwell requested RCB team management to bench him for the SRH encounter. He has scored only 32 runs at 5.33 in IPL 2024 so far.
Maxwell took a similar break from all forms of cricket in 2019, during the T20I series against Sri Lanka. He opened up on his battle with depression before returning to the sport.
#2
Ben Stokes (2021)
In 2021, star all-rounder Ben Stokes withdrew from England's Test squad ahead of their five-match Test series against India at home.
The England and Wales Cricket Board clarified that Stokes will take an indefinite break from the game to prioritize his mental well-being.
Stokes, who also suffered injuries during that time, returned to action in March 2022, in the West Indies Test series.
#3
Ishan Kishan (2023)
Indian opener Ishan Kishan scripted history in December 2022 after scoring a blistering ODI double-century in Bangladesh.
However, the budding left-handed batter was dropped from the XI in India's very next series.
Toward the end of 2023, Ishan withdrew from the two-Test series in South Africa. It was reported that the reason was "mental fatigue".
Ishan hasn't played for India ever since.
#4
Jonathan Trott (2013)
The daunting memories of the 2013-14 Ashes series Down Under jeopardized several English cricketers.
Australia hammered England 5-0, with a fired-up Mitchell Johnson intimidating the Englishmen.
England's Jonathan Trott, who was at his peak, left the tour midway after battling stress and anxiety. He took a 16-month break from cricket thereafter.
Trott made his comeback in 2015 but announced his retirement soon after.