Workload of players will be higher post lockdown: Bharat Arun
Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun believes returning to the field following coronavirus pandemic will not be easy for Indian players. The 57-year-old reiterated the players will have to train for nearly eight weeks before playing international cricket. He added that Indian team management will also raise the bar of "running, strength, yo-yo and endurance". Here is more.
We will try to raise the bar of fitness: Arun
"The four elements that we've tried to put in place - running, strength, yo-yo and endurance - we'll be raising the bar in these areas. Whenever the boys are back on the field, these workloads will be way higher and tougher than before," he said.
Arun opens up on mental strength
Arun asserted that the ongoing lockdown will certainly test the mental strength of players. "For a sportsperson, to be sitting at home doing nothing can be very frustrating. Not being able to expend that energy is like a curse. It can be boring, can be extremely monotonous. But there's no choice and therefore it's a challenge that has to be taken up," he said.
This is a rare window for players, feels Arun
Bharat Arun feels every player should consider the challenge as an opportunity to introspect. "It's a challenge that has to be looked at as an opportunity. It's a rare window because this kind of time will never be available in a professional career," he said. "There's a lot of time to work on fitness - physical and mental. The latter is extremely crucial."
Training camps put on hold by BCCI
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently stalled the plans to begin training camps for centrally contracted players. The decision was taken following the extension of nationwide lockdown. However, the players could begin the training at individual level.
