South African mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton is 'excited and privileged' to be returning to the national team setup, having worked with India during the 2011 World Cup. The much sought-after coach has signed a short-term contract with the BCCI ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.
Upton was a part of the World Cup-winning India team's support staff and will join the ODI side ahead of their Wednesday clash in the third ODI against the West Indies in the Port of Spain. The Proteas-born coach is slated to continue working with the team till the end of the T20 World Cup in Australia.
Upton was first roped in by former India coach Gary Kirsten when he took charge of the senior national team back in 2008. The South African duo then forged a successful partnership which carried on till 2011.
After his stint with India, Upton has been associated with different Indian Premier League (IPL) outfits, and has also worked with Rahul Dravid at Rajasthan Royals (RR).
On Tuesday, Upton was brought back to the national team set-up.
"It is a short-term arrangement for a period of four months," a senior BCCI source had told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
