As Team India aims to break the ICC trophy drought in the next edition of the T20 World Cup, the team management will see the return of Paddy Upton, who was a part of Gary Kirsten’s support staff when Team India lifted the 50-over World Cup trophy on home soil in 2011 under the captaincy of MS Dhoni.
According to a report by Hindustan Times, Upton has joined Rahul Dravid’s coaching staff during the ongoing series against West Indies. The 2011 WC winning-coach will stay with the Men in Blue till the 2022 T20 World Cup as the mental conditioning coach. “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 told HT on the condition of anonymity.
Paddy had joined the Indian dressing room after Kirsten’s appointment as head coach in 2008 and was part of his staff for the entire tenure which lasted for almost three years. After India’s victory in the 2011 WC, Upton parted ways with Team India as Kirsten’s contrat came to an end.
During this three-year tenure with Team India, Upton had worked closely with current head coach Dravid. While not part of the white-ball set-up, Dravid was an integral member of the Indian Test team during Upton’s stay with the team. The duo also worked closely at Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) as Dravid was the mentor of the team while Upton was the head coach.
“Paddy is a thought-leader. He brings a unique approach and relevant approach to cricket and life,” Dravid had written about Upton in the latter’s book ‘The Barefoot coach.’
Following the West Indies tour, Team India are scheduled to tour Zimbabwe for a three-match ODI series before the Asia Cup. Later, the Men in Blue will host Australia and South Africa for a white-ball series at home. The 2022 T20 WC is scheduled to take place in Australia from October 16-November 13
