Dhoni probably needs a break

Much as I enjoyed watching the Indian Premier League from a distance, it has been fantastic to resume my job with India. In many ways, it was frustrating to interrupt the process immediately after my first series, against South Africa, but we're back on track and I'm excited by the challenges ahead.

The Asia Cup is almost unique in that, outside of official ICC tournaments, it is one of the very few places where Test-playing nations compete against 'minor' teams on an equal footing.

Although Hong Kong and the UAE may not be competitive at this stage, I am completely comfortable with their involvement. One day they may arrive at the Asia Cup with a view to winning it rather than just avoiding heavy defeats, but that day will never arrive if they are not invited now.

Matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, of course, are always extremely serious and competitive fixtures while Bangladesh routinely prove that, although they still lose more games than they win, they can beat all of the best teams in a one-off situation, so there is plenty to keep us on our toes.

Both Paddy Upton and I have been spending quality time with the players on a one-on-one basis as we prepare for our first game and we will continue to do that throughout the tournament. Mental techniques in cricket have occupied as much time as technical issues and it has been extremely important for all of us to get to know each other individually because the one-day squad is now substantially different to the Test squad.

And I am happy with that situation. I believe age does play a role in the performances of most players and, equally, I don't believe that many players are suited to all three forms of the game. In fact, I don't even believe, necessarily, that those players who are suited to one-day cricket should play in every game.

One of my most important tasks as head coach will be to implement a rotation policy for the national squads in order to keep our best players rested and fresh. It won't be easy – it never is – but I'm sure there is a sufficient level of maturity and understanding among the players to accept that there is simply too much cricket for any single player to perform at his best all the time.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is probably the most obvious example of a man needing a break. In my own experience, by the time a player is feeling tired or 'flat', it is already too late to rest him. The rest needs to happen before fatigue sets in. MS is a brilliant cricketer and the sort of man who is happy to play every game, but he knows that it is not practical. Fatigue can lead to loss of form as well as injuries, both of which can adversely affect a player's long-term career.

Anyway, it will take time to get it right. And it won't be a perfect science.