PUNE: Rising temperatures, scorching heat and high humidity are draining every bit out of the cricketers as they battle 40-plus degree temperatures during the two months of IPL action. Behind every run scored, every wicket taken and every boundary stopped, there is a team of physios, nutritionists and strength and conditioning coaches working round the clock to keep the players fit.
The increasing intensity of Indian summers has forced franchises to rethink almost every aspect of preparation. “Heat loads feel much more aggressive now. Players fatigue faster, sweat more and recovery demands much greater effort than before,” Punjab Kings’ nutritionist Nicole Linhares Kedia told TOI. Kedia said that with back-to-back games and hostile weather conditions, recovery is no longer an afterthought.
“Even a one to two per cent drop in body water can affect reaction time, coordination, decision-making and endurance, which are all critical in cricket,” she said, adding that fast bowlers and allrounders remain the most vulnerable because of repeated high-intensity efforts and greater sweat loss.
Since every player is different, their rehydration needs are also different. “Hydration is no longer one-size-fits-all in cricket. IPL teams have moved far beyond the old ‘drink more water’ approach. Today, hydration and recovery plans are individualized, backed by sweat-rate monitoring, electrolyte tracking, cooling strategies and cramp management,” Kedia said.
The battle against heat has also produced some unusual methods. “We’ve recently started using more pickle juice. It helps from a rehydration perspective and players susceptible to cramping,” veteran physiotherapist Andrew Leipus said.
Leipus, who has spent over two decades in Indian conditions, feels staying match-fit during the season goes beyond nutrition and hydration. “Sometimes we delay warmups, shorten sessions or even warm up in the pool to reduce heat stress,” the physio, who served the Indian cricket team in the early 2000s, said.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ strength and conditioning coach Sagar M said the demands of afternoon matches remain particularly unforgiving. “Afternoon games are tougher because players spend long periods under direct sunlight. To prepare for such conditions, KKR schedules practice sessions during the hottest parts of the day,” he said.
Leipus feels the aim of the support staff is to keep their players injury free. “The holy grail of sports medicine is reducing injury risk,” he said, adding, “Our job is to prepare players and keep all 25 available for selection fit throughout the tournament.”
