Excited and privileged to be back in Team India colours: Paddy Upton

The Indian cricket board, on Tuesday (July 26), announced the inclusion of Paddy Upton as the mental conditioning coach of the Men in Blue. Upton mentioned he was thrilled and honored to be returning to work with the India men’s senior national team. He also exclaimed his happiness at reuniting with the Indian head coach Rahul Dravid, who is also his long-time friend and former colleague.

Upton will be with the Indian side on a short-term contract. He will be associated with the Rohit Sharma-led side till the end of the T20 World Cup which is set to be hosted by Australia in October-November. The Indian team is currently touring West Indies for a three-match ODI series. The two teams will then take on each other for five T20Is, the first three of which are scheduled in the Caribbean and the final two will be played in Florida in the US.

“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,” Upton said in a tweet.

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

Paddy Upton was part of India’s support staff during the 2011 World Cup-winning campaign

When Kirsten took over as head coach of the senior national team in 2008, he initially brought in Upton, and they enjoyed a productive working relationship up until 2011. Upton was a part of the Indian team’s support staff when the Men in Blue lifted the World Cup in the year 2011 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy and Gary Kirsten’s leadership.

After leaving his position with India, Upton collaborated with Kirsten on the South Africa men’s senior national team, which went on to become the No. 1 Test team. Upton worked with Rahul Dravid in the end phase of the latter’s career before collaborating with him at the Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils camp in the IPL.

He will now join the Indian team in the Caribbean for the upcoming ODI match and will continue to assist the team thereon. India will play the final ODI of the series on July 27 (Wednesday) and will start the T20I campaign on July 29 (Friday).