Paddy Upton has joined Team India’s support staff in West Indies. Upton has joined Team India as a mental conditioning coach to build the team for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.
Paddy Upton was part of India’s 2011 World Cup win under coach Gary Kirsten. He has joined Team India ahead of a 5-match T20I series against West Indies.
Current Indian Head Coach Rahul Dravid and Paddy Upton have worked earlier together. Paddy Upton has even worked with Team India when Rahul Dravid was a player in the 2010s.
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Rahul Dravid and Paddy Upton worked together in the role of Mentor and Coach. They worked with Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals).
Paddy Upton has worked as Performance Director of South Africa. Whereas he has worked as a head coach of Sydney Thunder (BBL) and Lahore Qalandars (PSL). Even he worked with IPL 2022 Runners Up Rajasthan Royals as ‘Team Catalyst’.
“Paddy is a thought-leader. He brings a unique approach and relevant approach to cricket and life,” Dravid had written in praise of Upton in the latter’s book ‘The Barefoot Coach’.
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“Paddy will be joining the team in West Indies as a mental conditioning coach and will be there till the T20 World Cup,” a BCCI official said. Players need to be mentally fit for big-stage tournaments like World Cup. So BCCI decided to rope in Paddy Upton who has worked for Team India as well.
Indian coaches have been seen appointing mental conditioning coaches for the players.
Former Indian head coach John Wright brought sports psychologist for the Sourav Ganguly-led team for the 2003 World Cup. Even Greg Chappell roped in a renowned sports psychologist Rudi Webster.
Whereas Ravi Shastri who was Team India’s head coach before Rahul Dravid didn’t use any services of mental conditioning coach. He himself motivated the team which helped players too.
Team India’s packed schedule till T20 World Cup
After a 5-match T20I series Team India will play the ODI series in Zimbabwe. Then Asia Cup and white-ball series with Australia and South Africa at home. Paddy Upton will work with Team India till ICC T20 World Cup 2022. He will mentally condition the players which will help them to deal with the pressure at big stages.
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