The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Agarkar banks on confidence

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Thursday, Jun 10, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

Agarkar banks on confidence

By Our Sports Reporter

BANGALORE, JUNE 9. The path between roses and thorns is a well-trodden one by Ajit Agarkar. A six-wicket burst that flattened the Aussies in the recent second Test at Adelaide, a hundred at Lords and fastest fifty wickets in One Day Internationals are all nuggets that sometimes lose their sheen amidst inconsistent spells and a string of ducks in Tests against Australia when India toured Down Under in 1999.

The man, who was labelled as `potential allrounder' ever since his successful India `A' days under coach K. Srikkanth has still a long way to go before living up to the pile of expectations.

The last season was a mixed one for Agarkar as he managed to take only one wicket in Pakistan after a 16-wicket haul in Australia.

However, as the fresh season begins, hope is high and Agarkar is banking on the confidence he gained from the Australian tour to keep him in good stead.

The Mumbai seamer took some time off on the second day of the fitness camp for fast bowlers and spoke to the media at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Wednesday.

"The recent break was good and it is always good to have an off-season. It helps us to work on our weaknesses," Agarkar said before moving onto injury-woes and the competition from Irfan Pathan and L. Balaji.

"I try to stay as injury-free as possible and the off-season training is also aimed at reducing the strain. Playing for India is the greatest motivation. I can only work hard. Selection is not in my hands and my job is to do what I can to the best of my ability. There is a lot of confidence after the Australian trip and I hope to carry that forward," Agarkar said.

Hailing the increase in the pack of Indian speedsters, Agarkar said, "Competition is healthy and augurs well for the team. Having five to six guys performing is good for the side and it keeps everyone on their toes. Irfan and Balaji have done a fantastic job for the team. In Pakistan I had an injury and I bowled in just one Test. I don't worry about what others are doing, I am worried about my job and about doing it well. And as for a spot in the team well that is up to the selectors and Sourav (Ganguly) to decide," Agarkar said.

On injuries derailing fast bowlers, Agarkar said, "bowling, especially fast bowling, is more physical than batting or fielding and injuries are part of our game."

However, his fitness woes seem a thing of the past as Agarkar said, "I am absolutely fit. And now that the camp has started, it should help us get back to our peak fitness as there is still a month left for the Asia Cup."

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