Have plenty of sex to win matches - Indian Coach

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India's dodgy dossier reveals secret strategy: sex, and lots of it
India's coach Gary Kirsten has encouraged his players to 'go ahead and indulge' ahead of the Champions Trophy

The dossier by Indian cricket coach Gary Kirsten and conditioning coach Paddy Upton urging Indian cricketers to have more sex for better on-field performance elicited more giggles and blushes from the rest of the Champions Trophy contenders on Wednesday than any serious talk on testosterone-enhancing methods.

The 'vision' document, which says "having sex increases testosterone, which causes an increase in strength, aggression and competitiveness" once again raises the age-old debate on whether sex helps sporting performance.

"Having sex increases testosterone levels, which causes an increase in strength, aggression and competitiveness,"

Besides trumpeting the positive side effects of sex, Kirsten and Upton also said that a lack of sex could diminish their athletic capacities by causing "a significant drop in testosterone levels in both males and females."

In a four-part document first leaked to the Hindustan Times, and now the talk of Sandton, the upmarket suburb of Johannesburg where the teams reside in close proximity, India's players are asked rhetorically: "Does sex increase performance?" And the answer begins: "Yes, it does, so go ahead and indulge."

The advice then reportedly goes on: "From a physiological (body) perspective having sex increases testosterone levels, which causes an increase in strength, energy, aggression and competitiveness. Conversely, not having sex for a few months causes a significant drop in testosterone level in both males and females with the corresponding passiveness and decrease in aggression."

The section on sex begins with a quote from Tim Noakes, a professor of exercise and sports science at the University of Cape Town, who suggests that casual sex is not a problem, it is just drinking until 2am on the eve of a game, trying to pick someone up, that can disrupt performance.

Masturbation – or, as Kirsten politely puts it, "going solo" – is actively encouraged. As masturbation is against traditional Hindu thinking about sexual purity, Kirsten, a South African, may even be risking a backlash.

By now the document enters Claire Rayner territory: "If you want sex but do not have someone to share it with, one option is to go solo whilst imagining you have a partner or a few partners who are as beautiful as you wish to imagine. No pillow talk and no hugging required … Just roll over and go to sleep."

Indian Cricketers duck for cover on coach's sex advice

Though M S Dhoni and Co spent the day scurrying from the media, other players were free with their reactions. Australian and England cricketers were heard saying they'd be delighted to have Kirsten as coach, betraying 'envy' for the 'pampered Indian players'. England spinner Graeme Swann said, "I want Gary Kirsten to coach England and I compliment him on his dossier."

The abstinence tradition is particularly strong in power sports such as boxing and football, but several studies over the years have tried to establish that sex is good before competitive sporting activity.

Ajit Wadekar, former India captain, coach said,

"Kirsten's got the right to do what he is doing. People might recall that soon after out 1992 tour to South Africa, when I was the coach I introduced a code of conduct disallowing players to do as they willed. That was because I saw them getting out of hand. Even today, a bit of check is essential."

Chandu Borde, former India batsman, coach said,

"This is a completely new thing to me. I have never come across a theory like this. However, the times have changed now."

Bishan Singh Bedi, ex-captain said,

"Both Kirsten and Upton should be given honorary posts in the BCCI for their advices. Like everyone, the players also need to have a normal life when they are touring with the team and sex is very much a part. But all should be within the reasonable limits. It's a natural instinct and the players are entitled to get their space."

Dr Ashok Ahuja, HoD, Sports Medicine, National Institute of Sports, Patiala, said,

"There is no doubt that sex increases your performance, provided it does not disturbs players' sleep and has no negative influence on them."

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None of the Indian players was willing to discuss the issue. Even Kirsten looked glum, and kept mum. "No comments," is all he said.

But leading cricketers from other countries were not so reticent.

England skipper Andrew Strauss, when asked about the new prescription for Team India, looked bemused.

"I don't think we ever had anything about our sexual habits written down in a dossier and I am pretty sure we won't get an advisory on that ever,"

"Is that in the team's vision statement? Hmm, "That is some vision. I really don't know what to say,""

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said before breaking into a hearty laugh.

England's Twenty20 skipper Paul Collingwood was in splits when he was asked what he thought of the team management giving MS Dhoni & Co a free hand when it came to scoring off the field. "That is probably the funniest and most entertaining question I have ever been asked,'' he said. "But I can't answer if it is good or bad." England spinner Graeme Swann did not even hedge his verdict. "I wish Gary was our coach," he said drolly.