The Hindu : Sport : Chappell will bring a lot of fresh ideas: Balaji

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Sport

Sport

Chappell will bring a lot of fresh ideas: Balaji

S. Dinakar

Busy even during the off-season

— Photo: K. Pichumani

EXCITING TIMES AHEAD: L. Balaji feels that Greg Chappell will be a tough, result-oriented coach.

Chennai: Lakshmipathy Balaji awaits the day when coach Greg Chappell assumes charge of the Indian cricket team. And he expects the journey with the Australian legend to be "exciting"; even more than his ride on a motor boat at the Chennai Harbour.

"He was such a great cricketer and I am sure he will bring with him a lot of fresh ideas," Balaji told The Hindu ahead of the Celebrity race in the Indian Oil-Open sailing championship held here recently.

Stylist

The 23-year-old India paceman did not hide his admiration for Chappell. "While growing up, we heard so much about him. He was a natural stroke-maker who was also technically sound.

"He made runs in all conditions. I have seen photographs of him in his playing days and he looked so balanced and stylish."

Balaji believes the "preparation and planning of the Indian side will be different under Chappell," and adds: "He was also a successful coach for South Australia and should prove a tough, result-oriented man who will get the team together."

Right attitude

Asked about the next level Chappell planned to take the Indian team to, Balaji said, "I think it is about being consistently good and developing the right attitude, both home and away. We should be able compete and win regularly against a side like Australia."

He acknowledged John Wright's contribution and recalled an incident from the fifth and decisive One-Day International in Pakistan last year.

"I hit Shoaib Akhtar for a six and broke my bat. After the innings Wright hugged me and said, `here is the new Black Bradman!'"

Balaji also has high regards for England coach Duncan Fletcher. "He managed to change the profile of the English side," he says.

On Sachin Tendulkar, recently operated for a tennis elbow in London, missing any form of cricket for at least three months, Balaji says: "It's disappointing. We are all looking forward to having him back as soon as possible. People play with minor niggles, but he had a more serious problem.

Gutsy

"He must have played the series against Pakistan under considerable pain. Tendulkar is a determined person and showed a lot of guts," says Balaji.

The Tamil Nadu speedster was happy about good friend Irfan Pathan's promising start in the English county circuit. Balaji himself is keen to play in England during the off-season.

Meanwhile, the paceman continues to train regularly and his immediate aim is to become more economical in the first 15 overs of an ODI — he plans to adopt a middle and off-stump line and deny the batsmen width.

Balaji is also learning yoga, meditation and breathing exercises to keep himself relaxed — a quality that makes a successful sportsperson.

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