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Why Did India Approach Paddy Upton To Join The Coaching Staff?

The Indian cricket team has brought in mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton to join the Men in Blue support staff ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia. The South African is said to meet up with the team earlier this week and begin working alongside the likes of Rahul Dravid. His first assignment is set to be the final ODI in India’s ongoing tour to the West Indies on Wednesday.

Excited and privileged to be back in #TeamIndia colours, working alongside long time colleague, friend and Head Coach Rahul Dravid. Much of our journey was thanks to @rajasthanroyals https://t.co/4v38iDGWgc

— Paddy Upton (@PaddyUpton1) July 26, 2022

The 53-year-old joins the Indian cricket team after previously working with the Men in Blue. Paddy Upton was part of India’s coaching staff between 2008 and 2011 where he was an assistant to Gary Kirsten. The duo helped India pocket 2 ICC trophies in the T20 World Cup (2007) and the 50 over World Cup (2011) with MS Dhoni at the helm. Later, they moved to join the backroom staff of South Africa and help the Protea’s claim the No. 1 spot in Test cricket, back in 2013.

Why did India rope in Paddy Upton?

ESPNCricnfo has reported on Paddy Uptons’ appointment sharing how the mental conditioning was approached by India’s head coach to prepare the players for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Dravid is said to have a very specific brief when he approached the former Proteas’ man with the ICC event in Australia particularly on his mind. Upton’s appointment is also said to have received the green light from India’s all format captain Rohit Sharma.

Another reason expected on Upton joining Indian cricket team as the new mental conditioning coach is that Dravid wanting someone who can kickstart working with the group immediately. The Indian head coach is focused on having the South African begin working especially the younger ones – by training them on mental conditioning.

Dravid feels it is important for the youngsters who have been playing in bios-bubbles for over two years. The former Indian cricketer is said to focus on bringing his players in the best frame of mind ahead of the T20 World Cup, and thus take the step of appointing the 53-year-old coach.

Paddy Upton and Dravid have worked together previously in early 2010s when the former Indian batter was still playing. They rejoined forces in IPL at Rajasthan Royals as well as Delhi Daredevils, where the duo was named as mentor and coach of the franchises together.

The South African has been amongst the T20 coaching circuit for many years. His latest stint came in IPL 2022 when he worked with season finalists Rajasthan Royals as a the team catalyst. He has was also involved with Sydney Thunder’s during their BBL title win in 2015-16.

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