Upton plans for India stint but not revealing secrets

India's mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton will arrive on March 21 and join the Indian players in Chennai, where he will hold talks with India coach Gary Kirsten and captain Anil Kumble.

"I am yet to sign a formal contract but the BCCI says the process will be completed over the next two weeks," Upton told Cricinfo.

Upton also sought to ease South Africa coach Mickey Arthur's worries that he might leak "inside knowledge on the key South African players", with whom he has worked in the past.

"I will ensure my professional credibility is maintained at the highest level," Upton said. "I will not reveal anything personal. I have a contract in place with each person I work with and each has confidentiality clauses. So Mickey doesn't need to worry at all.

"But I will be giving my full offering to Indian cricket; that is what is important. I know as much about the South African players as Kirsten. We will be competing against South Africa and we will strategise and offer our best to Indian cricket."

Asked whether he would explore the mental weaknesses of Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince, with whom he has worked, Upton's reply was succinct: " I would have already turned the mental weakness into a strength. It won't be a weakness anymore.

"In three years time, I might be working with some other national team and my obligations to Indian cricketers would be the same. I would not reveal anything personal."

Upton has been busy planning ahead of his Indian visit. "I am focusing on what I want to accomplish with Gary. Evolve a plan for two-years and then take it from there."