The Hindu : Sport : ‘Bowlers have shown the adaptability’’

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‘Bowlers have shown the adaptability’’

K.C. Vijaya Kumar

Prasad attributes the success to enhanced fitness levels

— Photo: AFP

BIG INFLUENCE: Bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad feels that Ishant Sharma has learnt a lot from Zaheer Khan.

BANGALORE: In the back-room wheels that drive Indian cricket, Venkatesh Prasad is a vital cog. The bowling coach has clear priorities.

“Last year, when the squad sat down for a chat, the players said that their collective goal was to be the number one team and to become that you have to be the number one bowling unit!” said Prasad.

Prasad believes that the Indian bowlers have shaped up well. “When I took over, I told the bowlers that ‘adaptability and responsibility is the key’ and they have shown both in equal measure. The performance of Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and the spinners, led by Harbhajan Singh, has been fantastic.

“Even Munaf Patel has worked hard on his variations like the slower ball and that is heartening for me. People are also talking about our reverse swing and the way we bowl in the Powerplays,” said Prasad.

He attributed the bowlers’ success to enhanced fitness levels and the willingness to learn and share responsibility.

“The skill was always there but over the years the key factor has been the fitness levels. When I stepped in, Gregory King had already done a good job by working on our players’ physical conditioning. Add to it Zaheer’s role as the spearhead. Bowling in the counties sharpened his skills and the way he guides others like Ishant has been excellent. His peer-to-peer coaching has been spot-on,” said Prasad.

He said that the bowlers have largely adhered to their plans. “It is important that the bowlers execute their plans well. In the Nagpur Test (against Australia), Zaheer and Ishant bowled tight nine-over spells that fitted into the team’s plans. These are things that give me joy, also Ricky Ponting’s recent reference to Ishant’s spell to him at Perth is something to be proud of.”

Equal emphasis

What about the spinners? “As a bowling coach I lay equal emphasis on the spinners. For me, be it dealing with seamers or spinners, tactics are more important than technique.

“I let them express their natural talent and only if there is a serious chink do I step in to correct. It is important to let bowlers bowl in the way they are most comfortable with,” he added.

Prasad stressed that harmony within the support staff has made things easier. Prasad, however, has strong views on the monitoring of injured bowlers. “I do get feedback about the progress of injured bowlers but it becomes difficult with our touring and individuals also change their mobile numbers!

“It is important that every State association has specialised coaches for batting, bowling and fielding. These coaches should file their reports about specific players to the BCCI and the National Cricket Academy.

“For instance, if an injured Sreesanth is trying for a comeback, there should be a flow of information about him from the Kerala Cricket Association to the NCA and in turn to the BCCI and me. I have already mentioned about the need for a State-level specialised coaching to the BCCI.”

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