Bangladesh’s Head Coach, Chandika Hathurusingha, believes that manipulating the volume and intensity of training sessions can help players peak at the right time, as he is convinced that training intensely all the time might not yield optimal results.
Following the announcement of Bangladesh’s Asia Cup squad on August 12, Hathurusingha initiated the team’s preparation for the tournament with a practice session simulating match scenarios. On August 13 and 14, the national cricketers will engage in six-hour training sessions, focusing on three key aspects: skill development, team cohesion, and fitness. Subsequently, they will have a break on August 15.
The players will adhere to a similar routine on August 16 and 17, but the training duration will be reduced to four hours. This will be followed by a two-day rest period. Starting from August 20, they will undergo three-hour practice sessions for three consecutive days before another break. Later, they will engage in two days of three-hour practice sessions, marking the completion of their preparation phase in Bangladesh ahead of the Asia Cup.
Before the start of the skill camp under Hathurusingha, BCB had a conditioning camp where 32 cricketers went through high intensity fitness training to prepare them for the upcoming international assignments.
“When we have a training session, we plan it in a way where we introduce a slightly higher volume early on, like having the bowlers bowl a bit more and placing a greater emphasis on fitness. However, as we get closer to the game, we reduce both the volume and intensity,” explained Hathurusingha.
“This strategy is called tapering. We minimize the amount of training and avoid lengthy sessions. Instead, the players engage in activities they feel are most beneficial just before the game. This approach brings them to their peak performance level, unlike consistently pushing them hard in training,” he elaborated. “When we simulate match scenarios, the intensity is very high, but the volume is lower due to the actual match taking place. As the game approaches, we gradually decrease the training volume. The manipulation of volume and intensity ensures that players are at their peak condition when it matters,” he clarified. Hathurusingha also noted that in his second tenure, he has observed that the cricketers are more knowledgeable about their training needs.
“Most of them are aware of what works best for them and how they should train. While newcomers might need some guidance initially, many players understand their game and take responsibility for their training,” he added. Hathurusingha emphasized the significance of mental health in modern-day cricket. Currently, Australian sports psychologist Dr. Phil Jauncey, who previously collaborated with Bangladesh during Hathurusingha's first tenure, is assessing the national cricketers to gauge their physiological development and mental well-being.
Earlier in June, Psychologist Alan Brown arrived at Dhaka to enhance the mental strength of the cricketers ahead of the home series against Afghanistan. In his two week tenure, Brown worked with the Bangladeshi cricketers mental aspects focusing on enhancing their mental resilience, motivation, and teamwork.
Hathurusingha admitted that in this part of the world it is seen as a taboo talking about mental health and urges that they need to come out of it as everyone can go through low phases mentally in life.
“Everyone can go through it (mental fatigue) and even you if you think you are a tough guy maybe not and sometimes we don't know. Even I am getting cranky sometime maybe too much for me so I need to go and lie down or have a shower just to cool down. So mental thing is not a sickness and you need to understand how you react to different situations,” said Hathurusingha.
“Every other big teams have mental conditioning coaches travel with the team full time,” he concluded.