Privilege to have Dravid as mentor in Delhi camp Says Brathwaite

Kolkata, April 9 (Cricketnmore): West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite, who shot to fame with four consecutive sixes in the final of the World Twenty20 last week, says having Indian cricket legend Rahul Dravid as his mentor in Delhi Daredevils is a privilege.

Dravid took up the job a few weeks back along with Paddy Upton who has been roped in as the head coach.

“I am privileged to be in the team as a World Cup winner. I hope to impact a youngster in the dressing room. I am privileged to have Rahul Dravid as the mentor -- we had a couple of chats with him. 

"I want to become better as a person and a player and hopefully will go back to the West Indies better equipped on how to play spin,” Brathwaite told the media here.

Delhi will start off their campaign against two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens here on Sunday and the 27-year-old would get to play on the same pitch where he clobbered England’s Ben Stokes for those massive sixes in the World T20 final.

“It is the same place and the same fans but it is a completely different tournament, different teams and oppositions. So I will treat the game with respect. But I hope it happens again. But I am not thinking about it much,” he said.

Asked how he dealt with the media attention after becoming an overnight hero for the West Indies, the Barbados lad said: ”Personally it has been a bit of challenge. I have had a few problems initially with time management. Dealing with all the interviews and attention was a challenge. But now I am aware of what stardom brings with it. If I am successful these things are something I need to cope with.

“Everyone wanted to know what was going through my mind, how I did it. I tried to do as much interviews I could.”

He, however insisted he has moved on from all the hype and is now focussed on the job ahead.

“It has been a challenge, constant interviews, reliving four sixes every day. It has been a challenge to get off the hype and move on. I am in my mental space now to be ready for the game tomorrow,” insisted Brathwaite.

Brathwaite said he is willing to shift up and down the batting order depending on the team’s need.

“Whatever our team requires (on where he would like to bat). If the team wants me to bat at a certain position, I will try my best and adapt and make sure Delhi comes out on top,” he said.

Asked to compare Tests and the shorter forms of the game, Brathwaite said,”I love Test cricket. But every format has its space. T20 is a good spectator sport. Better cricketers are those who can adapt in all three.“

Brathwaite added that he believes he is likely to suffer the same fate as Ben Stokes in the near future.

“I know it will happen, I’l be receiving it. Some day it will happen. But you need to do always bowl to the best of your abilities and back yourself.

Agency.