INDIANS SHARE BIT MORE FREELY: UPTON

THERE is perhaps a perception that Indians consider talking about their vulnerabilities as taboo.

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN

Even as athletes from elsewhere have taken mental health breaks, it's something Indian sportspersons have not tended to do. However, Paddy Upton, who has been on and off with the men's hockey team for the last year, reveals that Indian athletes are far more open when it comes to opening up and talking about their vulnerabilities. In the first part of a two-part interview to this daily, the South African, who was with the men's cricket team when they won the World Cup in 2011, speaks about the differences and similarities between both teams, getting Indian athletes to open up and why South African minds have had a lot of success in training Indian athletes to glory. Excerpts: On the differences and similarities between the two teams One of the differences was when I joined the cricket team, players had respect for Gary Kirsten because of his cricket credentials. It took time for players to gain that trust in me and my approach. As with any team, some players trust very quickly. For example, Virender Sehwag opened up very early, he was the first player to do so. He said 'I will trust you straight away but if you do one thing to break my trust, then it's over'.

Other players took a lot longer. The difference when I joined the hockey team