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On the right pitch
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Karnataka players are high on enthusiasm as they set out to the land of Sir Don Bradman for a series of six one-dayers and a couple of 20-20 matches
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PHOTO: V. GANESAN
READY, STEADY... Robin Uthappa, who is part of India's one-day squad, is aiming at consistency
An Aussie wind is blowing through Karnataka cricket. Opener Robin Uthappa is part of the India `A' team scheduled to tour Australia. All rounder Gaurav Dhiman is already in Brisbane attending training sessions at the Australian Cricket Academy as part of the prestigious Gavaskar-Border Scholarship. And in the coming weeks the Karnataka team is all set to wing its way Down Under for a series of six one-dayers and a couple of 20-20 cricket matches.
The players are obviously high on enthusiasm while lugging a heavy bag of expectations as they set foot in the Land of Sir Don Bradman. Robin, who is part of India's one-day squad, is aiming at consistency. "I need to score good runs and keep performing well," Robin said before boarding a flight to Hyderabad, where a preparatory camp was held prior to the team's departure to Australia.
For Gaurav Dhiman, it's all about attitude. "I want to learn their attitude. Their tough approach to games, the way they play hard. I want to learn about controlled aggression and I also want to improve my game," Dhiman said.
State coach and former India seamer Venkatesh Prasad rates Dhiman high. "He is a very talented cricketer. He can perform with the bat and as a fast bowler he has this ability to get a couple of crucial wickets even on batting-friendly tracks. Now it all depends on how hard he is willing to work," Prasad said.
Exchange programme
The State team is also primed for action. On its last trip to Australia, the team won a slew of matches against quality opposition.
"Last time when they toured Australia, our boys did very well. In fact they had to take on the likes of Shane Bond and that experience only increases their confidence levels. These tours are part of an exchange programme between the KSCA and the Australian Cricket Board. Some of their academy and first class teams come here to play in the Diamond Jubilee tournament and other matches and we in turn send our State team there. Playing on those pitches with extra bounce will only widen our team's exposure to higher level of cricket," Brijesh Patel, KSCA Secretary, said.
Coach Prasad is also optimistic about his boys. "It is a good team with a lot of experience and the right attitude. I did stress on experience to the selectors because I wanted mature cricketers who can perform at this level. We do have youngsters like Amit Verma and a few cricketers who are making a comeback like the experienced Vijay Bharadwaj. Deepak Chougule, who is also coming back into the team, is just 22. So he has got age on his side and he is one of the best fielders. The way he throws himself at the ball and fields are lessons for others too," Prasad said.
For Prasad, runs and wickets do count, but more than that, his prime focus is on the attitude of the players. "We had a couple of practise games and besides watching their performance and technique, I also kept a close watch on their attitude and approach to the game. This is a team sport and the right attitude towards the team's goals is the key to success," Prasad said. And in the practise games, Prasad also homed in on his captain C. Raghu.
"I was very impressed with the way he set the field and guided his team. The only other contender for the job was B. Akhil and before the matches I told both of them of what I expect from them and their players. Raghu getting the captaincy is also a kind of incentive for the way he performed in the Subbaiah Pillai and Deodhar Trophy tournaments last year," Prasad said while Raghu termed his appointment as a "huge honour".
In the next few weeks, Prasad and his protégés will hope to better their performances and hopefully feed on that confidence while eventually playing in the Ranji Trophy later this year. For Prasad, who was overlooked for higher assignments, despite a good stint with the India under-19 team, it is another opportunity to reiterate his coaching credentials while for the players, it is all about performing well in a nation regarded as the best in cricket.
And for someone like Vijay Bharadwaj, who lost his way after suffering a slipped disc while playing for India during its Australian tour in 2000, it is one way of getting back on track. Life has indeed come a full circle for him.
K.C. VIJAYA KUMAR
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