The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided not to extend the tenure of India men’s team mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton. A full-fledged India squad led by Rohit Sharma is set to leave for Bangladesh next week for three ODIs and two Test matches that are part of the World Test Championships and Upton won’t be accompanying the team.
The 53-year-old Upton was roped in by the BCCI this July after head coach Rahul Dravid requested for a mental conditioning coach keeping the T20 World Cup in mind. The South African began his services from India’s tour of West Indies and was scheduled to be part of the team till the completion of the T20 World Cup. And with the team making an exit in the semifinals, the BCCI has now decided not to renew Upton’s contract.
Before Upton, the BCCI had decided against extending the tenure of the selection committee led by Chetan Sharma. During the World Cup one of India’s all-time greats Sunil Gavaskar was highly critical of Upton for “not doing anything with KL Rahul,” who was struggling in the tournament.
Although Upton’s tenure this time has ended on a disappointing note, he has previously been part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad. Handpicked by then India head coach Gary Kirsten, he played an instrumental role in the team delivering under pressure on home soil.
