SportsCenter’s Muhammed Ashar Khan looks at how fatigued the Indian team would be going into the World Twenty20 Championship.

With the ICC World Twenty20 starting within two weeks of completion of the Indian Premier League, India coach Gary Kirsten has already expressed concerns over the mental and physical fatigue of his team. 

Increasing formats of the game, a packed ICC calendar and commitments with domestic tournaments like the Indian Premier League have had cricketers living out of their suitcases. And the pressure of defend the World Twenty20 title might take its toll on the mental and physical state of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men.

Former Indian wicketkeeper, Syed Kirmani feels, "After playing about 44 matches in one month, Indian players will definitely be weary and tired. Dhoni is already using his left hand and not the right to collect the ball. He has niggling injuries like quite a few other players."   

Zaheer Khan, who has played 18 one-dayers, 10 Test matches and three Twenty20 internationals this season, got injured after bowling 21 overs for Mumbai Indians in IPL II.

Virender Sehwag, another important player of the Indian team for World T20 missed four IPL matches after injuring his finger. He has been traveling around the world, featuring in 14 ODIs, 10 Test and four T20 internationals this season, before the start of the IPL.

Workload of India players in 2008-09 Season: 

However, some of the former players feel that excess work load is part and parcel of a cricketer's life.  

Dilip Vengsarkar, former Indian cricketer, believes that the players will have enough time to manage their injuries.

"The players know how to manage their injuries, and there will a week free before the start of the World T20," he said.  

Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist, who have come fresh to the second season of the IPL, following their retirement from international cricket are amongst the top performers of the tournament.

But all the 15 players of India's World Cup squad are currently playing in the IPL and have no luxury of taking a break from national duty ahead of a grueling tournament. Perhaps the ICC and the BCCI administrators need to rework their calendars to help the players give their best on the field