IPL 2019 | We certainly want to get the best out of each player, asserts Gary Kirsten

IPL 2019 | We certainly want to get the best out of each player, asserts Gary Kirsten

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Gary Kirsten has revealed that he will not take things lightly in the upcoming edition of the IPL despite it being a World Cup year and wants his players to perform at the highest level. RCB bowling coach, Ashish Nehra, stressed on the fact that there is no better preparation than playing matches.

Gary Kirsten drew plaudits from all across the globe as he led India to the 2011 ODI World Cup title which was won on home soil. Now in-charge of IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kirsten hopes to emulate the same success on a domestic level in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League which is scheduled to begin on March 23.

However, things are a bit complicated this time round as many international players will depart early from the competition with the 2019 ODI World Cup set to start on May 30. But the South African coach said the RCB team management expects the best from the players throughout the course of the tournament.

"We are not looking at this tournament as preparation for the World Cup. This is IPL and we want to get the players to consider this as a standalone tournament. We do understand international players apart from the Indians are called back to their internationals teams during the IPL. We have to accept (that). There's not much we can do. But we would certainly want to get the best out of every player.

"We've both (Nehra and Kirsten) played international cricket, we understand the demands of a player. We'll be reasonable in that space. Ultimately every player needs to know that his priority over the next 50-odd days is RCB. Ashish has made a good point: if you get yourself match-ready during the IPL, that's going to hold you in good stead during the World Cup. I think it's an advantage to the Indian players, actually because IPL is a pressure tournament, it's great preparation for the World Cup," Kirsten said at the launch of the new RCB app.

Meanwhile, Former India pacer and newly appointed RCB bowling coach, Ashish Nehra, stressed on the fact that there is no better preparation than playing matches.

 "I am a firm believer that the more you play, the better you get. If a player is saying that 'I'm feeling fatigued and I need a break for two games', then so be it. I got injured in World Cup semifinal and after that I didn't play IPL. This debate country or club first will always be there.

"If somebody tells Virat Kohli not to play IPL and go fresh for the World Cup, I don't think it's right. The more you play the better you get. If he's (Kohli) only practising, that different. IPL is a pressure tournament and as good as international cricket, that's why everybody wants to play. So, you are going to the World Cup after going through that pressure," the 39-year old added.

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