We won't push the Indian players, says RR coach Paddy Upton

With the ICC World Cup to kick off in England on May 30 there is no shortage of fears over players arriving for the mega event fatigued from the Indian Premier League which concludes on May 12While the Indian players workload is a concern that the BCCI is trying to address with the franchisees Rajasthan Royals head coach Paddy Upton has ensured that they will manage the World Cupbound players in their team optimallyUpton who was part of Indias 2011 World Cupwinning campaign as MS Dhoni amp Corsquos mental conditioning coach cautioned against experimenting too much for the World Cup in the light of head coach Ravi Shastrirsquos hint that skipper Virat Kohli may bat one position down at No 4 in the World CupUpton spoke to midday yesterday on the sidelines of Rajasthan Royalsrsquo camp at the Cricket Club of IndiaExcerptsOn key areas of focus during the IPL The normal teambuilding activities need to be fasttracked because we dont have the luxury of time during the IPL It becomes very important to focus on people management than cricket strategy The big focus is can we have the vibe going as one family where the players are ready to go the extra mile for the team rather than use these two months to better their own careers On player fatigue before the World Cup One needs to look at getting the most out of the player for the franchise At the same time we need to be cognizant about where they are in the season and playing years so that we dont take them to a stage of burnout We want them to have a great two months with the Royals but we also dont want them to have a careerending period because we overpushed them We have our processes in place We have John Gloster former India physio who exactly understands the workload the player has had We dont treat everyone the same If a player has had a busy schedule like some of the current Indian players are having we will ensure they are well rested Within the context of their time with us we will ensure they are wellmanaged On reducing workload for Indias World Cupbound players It depends where they come from and where they are going off to as far as managing workload is concerned As the IPL unfolds rest is very important so that players are fresh for the playoffs and final So if the player is fresh for the playoffs and final two weeks later they will be fresh for the World Cup We are certainly not going to run players to such an extent that they cant pick themselves up for the World Cup We wont push them We will manage them well Workloadmanagement tips to players When players are not involved with the game they need to have a proper downtime be with their friends watch movies just be away from the game This season we will be introducing mental recovery processes just like you have physical recovery sessions The other thing we will be doing for the first time is mental preparation for the big games which will be a brand new thing and has never been done before in cricket We are taking a specific focus on the mental side of the game for this season apart from a number of new initiatives that RR is going to bring in On the mental recovery processes Watch this space I wont reveal it now smiles On whether IPL is an ideal buildup to the World Cup If a player manages himself well during the IPL it is a very very good leadup to the World Cup It is an ideal leadup It is largely upon players and coaches on how they use the IPL for the World Cup preparation It is about getting the right balance of sleep and healthy nutritious organic food There are measures to keep a track like the heart rate of players when they wake up It has to be consistent We will have GPS tracking devices to check the kilometres covered by a player in the match and during training These matrix can be used to ensure that the players stay in a safe zone On what India needs to guard against at the World Cup The team need to continue doing what has brought them success into their World Cup campaign and take the best of what they have been doing What they need to be cautious about is doing something special or extraordinary because it is the World Cup If they have to do something different at the World Cup it means that what they have been doing so far is not right By now they should have understood what is their best game Therefore they must continue with what they are doing If you are doing something different then either something is not right or you are panicking They should not try doing too many fancy things because that sends a message that this tournament is more important and we need something more which creates extra pressure On the need for a mental conditioning coach for the Indian team I dont think the team require it but the right person at the right time can help It does not mean that by having that person they are winning or not having that person they are losing It is about having an extra value additionCatch up on all the latest sports news and updates here Also download the new midday Android 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