IPL 9: Privileged to have Rahul Dravid as Mentor: Brathwaite

Carlos-Braithwaite-Delhi-Da
Carlos Braithwaite during the pre match media conference in Kolkata on Saturday.

Internet Desk: Hero of the World T20 final, West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite, says having Indian cricket legend Rahul Dravid as his mentor in Delhi Daredevils is a privilege. Dravid took up the job for the Daredevils a few weeks back.

“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 in Kolkata ahead of Daredevils first match in IPL 9.

The 27 year old all rounder from Barbados will be back at the same venue where he clobbered England’s Ben Stokes for 4 massive sixes of the last over in the World T20 final to snatch victory for the West Indies.

“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,” said Braithwaite.

The shy looking cricketer is getting the status of an overnight hero back in the Caribbean. On being asked to comment how he is enjoying his stardom, Braithwaite 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.

Braithwaite, 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.

The all rounder said he is willing to bat anywhere for the team’s cause during IPL 9.

“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.

Lastly he expressed his desire to be successful in all the three formats of the game.

“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.”