Former England skipper Michael Brearley supports Kohli's request to allow WAGs overseas

Former England captain Michael Brearley led his team through one of its best phases. But the legendary cricketer wouldn’t mind having a record as impressive as the Indian skipper.

Mike Brearley is a man of many facets: cricket, psychoanalysis and Gujarati food (he can cook brinjal, peas, dal and rice).

The former England cricket captain and his wife, Mana Sarabhai, walk in together at an author’s lounge in Mumbai, chatting before ordering coffee. They are at ease with each other, something that can only come from knowing one another long and well.


Mana says, “When did we get married? My god – 1980?” Brearley laughs and recalls how their match was perhaps meant to be. Mana’s father, the Gujarati industrialist Gautam Sarabhai, and Brearley had the same tutor who got them interested in psychoanalysis. “The tutor taught my father-inlaw in 1938 and me in 1962-3. So yes, it was quite serendipitous,” Brearley says.

In a chat with ETPanache, Brearley speaks concisely, often with tongue in cheek, and tells us about coping with mental health, his favourite teams for the World Cup and why partners should be allowed on overseas tours.

Virat Kohli requested the Indian board to let wives and girlfriends spend time with players on overseas tours. Do you feel such a move would help?
I agree with Virat. The benefits are obvious, aren’t they (laughs). Anything can cause problems, can’t it? Even not having your wife on tour can cause problems. Of course, players have to be available for their teams, but they often play at home and have a Test in their own town.

During my time, the policy was pretty different. Tours these days are around two months, but earlier they were at least four months long. The barring of it [partners] is presumably based on some atavistic male agenda. It is as if women are bound to be an extra complication and will take away the militaristic drive of their men or husbands (laughs).

England won 18 of the 31 Tests you captained. You were known for your “degree in people”, to quote Australian bowler Rodney Hogg. But you did not contribute much in terms of runs. How do you explain this dichotomy?
I didn’t score enough runs. It wasn’t always easy not scoring enough. There were times when I wondered if I had a right to be there. It didn’t help my state of relaxation. I think it is a disadvantage and I would like to be in Virat Kohli’s position [in terms of individual contribution].

The World Cup is being held in England and Wales next year. Who are your favourites?
I haven’t given it a great deal of thought yet, but it seems to me that England has a good team. And if the ball swings a little bit, we’re probably the best team. That said, India is always a dark horse. And Pakistan is always a little bit unpredictable. They won the Champion’s Trophy [last year], beating India in the finals. So, you never know with Pakistan — they are very talented. South Africa is usually a good team. As for anyone else, it might be nice to think that West Indies may do something, but they were quite disappointing in India.



As a psychoanalyst, what are the things that concern you with respect to mental health?
That’s a very deep question. I suppose the biggest difference that has happened gradually is the speed at which things happen. Cricket is a good example, with 20/20 compared to what it was like before. It’s symptomatic of money making, entertainment and attention span. And, of course, social media is making communication instant. I suppose that’s the biggest difference to mental health. Some of it helps mental health, but some hinders it. You have less time and less ability to tolerate slowness or disappointment. I think people are more distracted than they were.

What are your tips to maintain mental health?
One of the good things that has happened is that people have become a lot more expressive. Here the good side outweighs the bad. We were a little uptight, if you noticed (laughs). Things have changed — people today are emotional and warmer. I think communication and talking about things is a good thing, whether it’s with your friends, partners, children, a psychotherapist or a psychoanalyst.

How do you take care of your mental health?
I have a very interpretative wife, who doesn’t let me get away with anything. I do exercises too to make me feel more healthy and energetic. I read books and work as a psychoanalyst half the time, so that helps. I am constantly working and thinking, which helps with reflection and introspection.

Who are the public figures that have impressed you with their mental aspect during a setback?
Probably a lot. The cricketers, especially. Marcus Trescothick became highly anxious, perhaps even depressed, when touring and had to go home. He had to give up touring. But he allowed this to become known and this slightly reduced the stigma.

Then we had Jonathan Trott, who in the old terms “broke down” in Australia and had to go home. He then tried Test cricket again and really didn’t think he could manage it. Those are two of the most prominent cases and I admire the fact that they have come out with it and talked about it.

It helps when people can share their difficulties and struggles. It shows that it can happen to anyone and you can get through it.

You had a cerebral image. But were there times that you had fun and let your hair down?
Well one thing that is safe to tell you is that I like to spend time with my three grandchildren. Playing games on the floor is not a bad thing and we enjoy word and imagination games. I used to spend quite a bit of time pushing my grandson on the swing (laughs). It’s lovely. My wife and I also have our lively times, we argue, we debate, we talk to each other — life is full.