T20 World Cup is just around the corner and India seems to be gearing up on all fronts. Paddy Upton, who was part of the support staff between 2008 and 2011, is back as mental conditioning coach.
In his previous stint with India, Upton worked under Gary Kirsten as India, under the leadership of MS Dhoni, lifted the ICC World Cup in 2011.
It seems that head coach Rahul Dravid recommended Upton’s recruitment in the support staff. The two had worked together in Rajasthan Royals when Rahul Dravid was the captain of the IPL franchise.
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Did Paddy Upton have an impact on the winning teams?
We all remember Indian players carrying Gary Kirsten on their shoulders after India won the 2011 World Cup. He was credited heavily for India’s rise to top in ODI cricket. What about Paddy Upton?
As a mental conditioning coach, did he have any serious impact? Or was it all Kirsten, Dhoni, and the players’ self belief?
A former India pacer, S Sreesanth, part of the 2011 World Cup-winning team recently told a news outlet that Paddy Upton hardly had an impact on India lifting the World Cup. And that it was all Gary Kristen.
However, when someone like Rahul Dravid thinks a coach can be useful to team India, we are all ears.
Can Paddy Upton work with Virat Kohli to end his struggle?
Virat Kohli’s struggle with form and the delivery outside off stump has been for quite long now. Can Upton’s techniques help Kohli get out of the slump and deliver better results?
Paddy Upton could be a game changer in this regard. Fans are tired and hurt seeing Kohli play that outswinging delivery and get caught in the slips.
Think of the time when Sachin Tendlukar decided not to play a single cover drive against Australia in a Test match and scored a double hundred.
That must have taken an unbelievably strong resolve. While we don’t suggest no cover-drive for Kohli, he can work toward not letting the opposition outsmart him.
Which other teams has Paddy Upton coached before?
Upton has been part of the erstwhile Delhi Daredevils coaching staff with Rahul Dravid. It is clear why Dravid has shown confidence in him given that he knows how effective Paddy Upton’s coaching can be.
From 2012 to 2018, Paddy Upton was involved in coaching 5 different teams for 12 seasons across different tournaments like IPL, BBL, and PSL.
He was also the strength and conditioning coach for South Africa during the late 90’s. He worked closely with coach Bob Woolmenr and the legendary South Africa captain Hansie Cronje.
What are Paddy Upton’s best achievements as coach?
After the 2011 World Cup triumph, Paddy Upton returned to South Africa and along with Gary Kirsten led the Proteas to number 1 ranking in Test cricket in 2013.
Sydney Thunder had lost 21 of 22 matches in the first three seasons of Big Bash League. Paddy Upton joined SYT as a head coach and two seasons later, they were the BBL champions.
In 2013, when Paddy Upton joined Rajasthan Royals as coach, the 2008 champions went from bottom of the points table for the past four years to being the semi-finalists in IPL and finalists in Champions League.
That year, Royals won 13 consecutive matches at their home venue in Rajasthan.
Can Paddy Upton work wonders in the T20 World Cup?
Ricky Ponting said to the media that India and Australia, in his opinion, will be in the finals and Australia will be the winners.
The betting sites seem to agree with the first half of the statement given that India and Australia are the top two teams in the outright winner market.
If India lock horns with Australia in the final at the latter’s home ground, it will be a game of nerves. Both sides have immense talent and it will come down to who can endure the pressure best in tight situations.
Paddy Upton and his coaching will make a world of difference. Roping him in at this time is a great decision from India and we are more confident in the men in blue than before.
Back India to win the T20 World Cup 2022 at 4.01 odds with 20Bet. The betting site offers live streaming of cricket events for free.
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- Over 50,000 events per month
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