"Not in the headspace that I probably should have been" - Jhye Richardson says he regrets making trip for IPL 2021

Australian seamer Jhye Richardson has opened up on his mental health struggles as he hopes to make a comeback to the national team. The right-arm seamer revealed that plenty of his struggles started during the COVID-19 pandemic and that he regretted making the trip to IPL 2021 in that headspace.

Richardson bagged his first IPL contract ahead of the 2021 edition, fetching a whopping ₹14 crore from the Punjab Kings. However, the 27-year-old couldn't justify the price tag, bagging three scalps in as many games at 39 apiece. He returned to the IPL for the Delhi Capitals ahead of the 2024 season and played a solitary match.

Speaking to cricket.com.au, Richardson suggested that not being able to get home easily from the IPL caused him plenty of stress. The West Australian revealed that he stresses youngsters to keep working on their mental health. He said:

"A lot of it started during COVID. My trip to the IPL – I left home not in the headspace that I probably should have been. Then things sort of hit the fan while I was away, and everything with COVID and not being able to get home and stuff like that, it just toppled on top of each other.

"I think you don't realize what sort of space you're in until it becomes too much, which is why now I encourage a lot of young cricketers to work on their mental health – even if they think that they're going okay.

The right-arm seamer made his debut in February 2017 but has played only three Tests, 18 ODIs, and 15 T20Is ever since due to frequent injuries.

"I desperately want to get back there" - Jhye Richardson on playing Test cricket

Richardson, who last played a Test in 2021, said the only thing keeping him motivated is his desire to play for the national team at some stage in the future. Underlining how important it will be to maintain his body, he added:

"Obviously, it's been frustrating. I think what held me together is knowing that when I can get back to competitive cricket, I do still enjoy it. I know what it's like to play Test cricket and I desperately want to get back there.

"I know if I get a decent crack at it, hopefully, I can showcase some skills that allow me to get to the next level. I want to play Test cricket again. I want to play for Australia again. Ultimately, it's just not letting go of that goal and keeping that within reach and doing everything I can to get my body right to get back there."

Richardson could earn the Baggy Green cap for Australia's Test series against India this summer.