Gloster said players should avoid tournaments like the IPL to make sure that they were at the peak of their physical and mental fitness before a crucial international tournament like the World Cup. “Skip the IPL if possible,” he said. “Some of the Australians skipped it. The IPL has taught cricketers to adapt to different conditions and situations quickly but it is wiser to skip it if it is close to any important series because it involves too much of travelling which leads to stress.”

India coach Gary Kirsten had blamed the IPL for the team’s early exit from the World T20, and had added that he would consider pulling his players out of the next edition, which will once again be played soon after the IPL.

Homesick factor

Gloster said close-knit families in India mean that the players are more likely to be homesick on trips abroad, causing mental fatigue. “Perhaps no other country has as strong family bonds as the Indians. I have an Indian wife and so I know what are the emotional needs.

“I feel it is the mental fatigue rather than the physical work which was taking the toll on Indian cricketers. They have been away from their homes for months. Some of them take their wives with them but still that cannot be a substitute for a family atmosphere,” he said. “It is all about family, friends, relatives and surroundings.”

‘Form medical board’

The physio also said it would be a good idea to constitute a medical board within the BCCI to assess players’ fitness. “It is a good idea to have a medical board within the BCCI. That would mean that the question of fitness and injury issues are left to people who are learned in their field. Sometimes the views of team management can only create confusion. And nobody can dare suggest the stars to have rest by skipping few matches,” he said.