Team India rope in mental conditioning expert Paddy Upton ahead of T20 World Cup

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to rope in mental conditioning expert Paddy Upton for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. To note, Upton was part of the Indian team management during their historic tournament win in the 2011 World Cup under the leadership of MS Dhoni.

Both Upton and Team India head coach Rahul Dravid have previously worked together as coaches for several franchises and they will now be seen together working again. Upton is expected to join the Men in Blue camp ahead of their T20I series against West Indies.

Paddy Upton will be joining Team India in West Indies as a mental conditioning coach: BCCI official

“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 was quoted by NDTV on condition of anonymity.

“Paddy is a thought-leader. He brings a unique approach and relevant approach to cricket and life,” Dravid had previously written in praise of Upton in his book. Upton was last seen during the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) working as the ‘team catalyst’ with 2022 finalists Rajasthan Royals (RR).

In the past, several Indian head coaches have asked the top board to rope in mind experts to work on players’ mental conditions, especially during tournaments like World Cups where the stakes are high. However, during the tenure of former head coach Ravi Shastri, the Men in Blue were without the services of a mind expert as Shastri is himself known to bring out the best in players with his pep talks.

At present, Team India is taking on the Men in Maroon in an ODI series and has already secured the series after winning the first two matches. Both teams will take on each other during the third and final ODI match to be played on July 27 (Wednesday). After that, both teams will lock horns in a T20I series slated to start on July 29 (Friday).