How has IPL addressed mental health of players?


IPL 2023 Winner

The IPL, with its intense schedule, high stakes, and global spotlight, can be both exhilarating and mentally exhausting. Over the years, as mental health became a more openly discussed topic in sports, the IPL ecosystem—franchises, BCCI, and support staff—have made notable efforts to address the mental well-being of players.

🧠 Why Mental Health Became a Focus

  • Tight schedules & travel across cities every 2–3 days.

  • Bio-bubbles during COVID created intense isolation.

  • Social media scrutiny and fan pressure—especially for underperforming players.

  • Expectations from franchise owners, fans, and self-pressure due to the financial stakes.

🩺 How IPL Has Addressed Mental Health

1. Franchise-Level Mental Health Support

Most franchises now employ sports psychologists, mental conditioning coaches, or wellness consultants.

Examples:

  • Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) brought in Sanjeev Datta, a leadership and personality coach, to work on mental clarity.

  • Delhi Capitals had Paddy Upton, a renowned mental conditioning coach, as part of their setup.

  • Rajasthan Royals focused on holistic wellness with mindfulness training and player well-being programs.

2. BCCI's Role

  • In recent years, BCCI acknowledged mental fatigue, especially during bio-bubbles.

  • Players are allowed to take breaks from IPL or national duty without stigma (e.g., Glenn Maxwell, Ben Stokes taking mental health breaks).

  • The board offers counseling services, even beyond IPL, for contracted players.

3. Bubble Fatigue & Post-COVID Response

  • IPL 2020 & 2021 were played in strict bio-secure environments.

    • Players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin openly spoke about the toll it took.

    • Ashwin even took a mid-season break in 2021 to support his family during India’s COVID wave.

Response:

  • IPL reduced bubble durations.

  • Introduced family-inclusive bubbles where spouses and kids could accompany players.

  • Mental health sessions included in team routines.

4. Culture Shift: Openness and Empathy

  • Stars like Glenn Maxwell, David Miller, and Marcus Stoinis have openly discussed anxiety and performance pressure.

  • Younger players are now encouraged to seek help, not suffer in silence.

  • Teams have begun hosting:

    • Team bonding activities

    • Gratitude sessions

    • Digital detox periods

    • Regular 1-on-1 check-ins with support staff

5. Access to Mental Health Resources

  • Many IPL teams partner with platforms like MindPeers or BetterHelp.

  • Anonymous counseling or drop-in sessions are available during match weeks.

  • Some teams have created a “mental wellness day” with no training, just rest and team fun.

🧠 TL;DR:

The IPL, once focused purely on performance and glamour, has grown to acknowledge and support mental health. Through psychologists, player breaks, COVID-bubble adjustments, and a more empathetic culture, the league is actively creating safer spaces for players to thrive not just physically, but emotionally.

Would you like a list of top players who’ve spoken publicly about mental health during IPL seasons?