IPL “Makes a Player Mentally Tough”

Jun.04, 2009 in IPL News

Just about everybody seems sure that India will win the cup this year too and retain the title they won in 2007. Some fear that that so much back to back cricket is going to take a toll on the boys; Gary Kirsten said fatigue will be team India’s biggest hurdle, and he’s not completely wrong: the IPL is barely over and the ICC Twenty20 World Cup will begin next week, but this fact hardly seems to be worrying anyone; especially not K Srikkanth who is confident that this year’s T20 World Cup also belongs to India.
He told TOI on Saturday, “There are clearly no favourites in the tournament, but our top order can tear apart any attack. Starting from the openers to the middle-order batsmen, all of them are capable of turning it around. The depth in batting is huge.”

But at the same time he sympathizes with the players. He agrees that in today’s game the pressure is too much, and he empathizes with the players who have voiced mental fatigue with two high pressure tournaments happening successively. “In today’s world, every nation is playing non-stop cricket. I feel bad for the cricketers but yet we can’t help it. You have to get used to it and carry on in a professional way,” he said.

“I also agree that IPL was hectic for the cricketers, but it also gave a lot of match practice. Keeping in mind the World Cup factor, the event was really useful. There were so many close games and featuring in them makes a player mentally tough.”
He also believes that the IPL did a lot in bringing out the best in each of Team India’s talented young cricketers: “The IPL also witnessed a lot of improvisation. We saw part-timers like Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma winning matches with the ball, which means (skipper) Dhoni will have a lot of options on the field. I am very happy with the intensity of the players,” he is quoted saying.

“Moreover, the conditions in England will suit our medium-pacers well as they can move the ball. Undoubtedly, the World Cup will be a closely-fought event and in that way, every team is a favourite. But India certainly have the edge over others. T20 is not only slam bang cricket; you must have an intelligent approach to the game. Making the right moves at the right time is crucial.”

On being asked about Sehwag’s and Gambhir’s poor form, he adds: “No, I am not at all worried. Viru and Gambhir have won many matches for India in the past and they must be itching to come back strongly. They are classy players and will surely play huge roles.”

Srikkanth is all set to join the team in South Africa to cheer for them on June 6th