Out-of-favour India opener Virender Sehwag today said that the start of the cash-rich Indian Premier League less than 10 days after the conclusion of the ongoing cricket World Cup was not a problem as the players were used to such kind of tight schedule.
Asked if the players would be exhausted after the month-and-a-half-long World Cup, Sehwag said, "I haven't checked the schedule, but I have heard that the IPL starts on April 8. It is always like that. You will get two weeks or one week break before the IPL, and then you go home and come back and join your teams.
"We are professionals and we are used to (it). Like you work 365 days in a year, for us also it is not 365 days, but only 65 days that we play, so we are okay with that," said the Delhi batsman, who now plays for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, at the jersey launch of the team here.
The World Cup final is scheduled for March 29 and the IPL commences on April 8.Runners-up in the 2014 edition, Sehwag credited Kings XI Punjab coach Sanjay Bangar for his man-management skills.
"He gives space to the player. He gives time to the player. He will have a chat with him. The players chat with him like a friend. Same thing he did with me in IPL 7. He said you know what to do and you are my best friend, so let's take this team together and give your feedback.
"He is not doing any coaching stuff, but handling each and everyone. He is asking questions to the players, so the players can give answers and he can write it down and remind them before the game which is a good thing to do," he said.
The flamboyant batsman hoped Kings XI Punjab would go one step further this year and clinch the coveted trophy for the first time.
"We had done well last year, so hopefully this year we will do better than last year. The hopes are there and expectations are there. So after the World Cup when the team gets together in Pune, we will have a camp, where we will make our plans and strategies. So I am looking forward to this year's IPL," he said.
With youngsters like Axar Patel of India and Australian Glen Maxwell being part of their respective countries' World Cup squad, the Delhi batsman said the IPL provides the young players a good opportunity to showcase their talent.
"It's a good thing for Kings XI Punjab that the players who played and performed really well have been picked by their country for the World Cup and to play for their country. IPL is a good platform for youngsters to play well and perform and get a chance to play for their country," he said.
"There are other youngsters who didn't get the chance to play last year, so hopefully this year they will get the chance and they will do well for themselves," he added.
Tata Motors Prima are the title sponsors of the IPL franchise for the second year running, it was announced at the function.
