A Short Break Between IPL And T20 World Cup Could Have Done A Lot Of Good: Bharat Arun

India‘s bowling coach Bharat Arun has addressed the issue of the mental and physical toll which living in a bio-bubble for a long time has taken on the players.

The all-format Indian players have been on the road since June – a Test tour to England, followed by the second half of the IPL and then the T20 World Cup, both in the UAE – and have lived in a soft or hard bubble all the time.

India started the T20 World Cup with losses to Pakistan and New Zealand and are hanging by a thin thread for their hopes of the semi-final qualification rely on the New Zealand-Afghanistan result.

Bharat Arun reckons a short break between the IPL and the T20 World Cup could have done plenty of good for the Indian players. He asserted that not having a sufficient amount of breaks has taken affects the mental health of the players.

“They have been on the road for six months is a huge task. It is a huge ask. They had a short break after the last IPL and they are in a bubble for the last six months. I think that takes a huge toll. Maybe a short break between IPL and World Cup could have done a lot of good for these boys,” Bharat Arun said on Sunday.

“Not just the quantity of cricket our team is playing but also remaining in the bubble and playing is not very easy. They do need sufficient breaks. Even the mental health is going to be very important going forward. This is going to be the norm for us at least for next one or two years,” he added.

The team that wins the toss has a big advantage: Bharat Arun

Bharat Arun also talked about the toss advantage which teams have gained in the World Cup, especially in Dubai, as the conditions make chasing an easier task than setting a total.

Most of the matches in Dubai have been won by the chasing side, who have taken advantage of bowling-friendly conditions early on and then scored runs under the effect of dew.

India’s bowling coach feels toss shouldn’t have such a big say in a result.

“I am not trying to give any excuses but I think in this World Cup the trend has been the team that wins the toss has a big advantage especially when you are in playing in Dubai. The wicket kind of eases out when you come out to bowl the second time. 

“The toss should not be of any consequence. But here, the toss gives a very undue advantage. And that’s the reason why there is a huge change while batting in first innings and second innings. That should not the case in a very short format,” Bharat Arun explained.

New Zealand and Afghanistan meet on Sunday afternoon in Abu Dhabi. India are hoping for an Afghanistan victory which will keep them alive in the competition; a win for the Kiwis will take Kane Williamson’s side in the semifinals.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2021: Indian Players Are The Best In The World – David Wiese