Rabindra Ramnarayan 'Robin' Singh is best remembered as the quintessential never-say-die guy in the Indian one-day squad in the 1990s.

Singh's international career was rather strange. There was a gap of eight years between his second and third one-dayer. Thereafter, the Trinidad-born all-rounder held his place in the team with his athletic fielding and made the number six position his own.

Towards the fag end of 2000, the signs were becoming clear. Singh failed to make it to the South Zone team for the Duleep Trophy. His time had come, some players suggested, and Singh, then 37, was unceremoniously dumped from the Indian one-day squad as well.

Now a television commentator, the forthright Singh discussed with Faisal Shariff the Indian squad for the 2003 World Cup as well as his own fallout with the team.

What is your assessment of the Indian squad for the World Cup in South Africa?

The team is very well balanced except that Sanjay Bangar should be used more as a bowler than an all-rounder. Once he clicks as a seam bowler, the team will find the perfect balance. Our batting seems perfect with two left-handed batsmen -- Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh -- in the middle order. Numbers 5 and 6 are important slots and these two batsmen are ideally suited for those positions. Mohammed Kaif and Yuvraj Singh are brilliant in running between the wickets.

This World Cup, Yuvraj Singh will be the most successful batsman in South Africa as the wickets will suit him a lot. He loves the ball coming on to the bat. Our batting has won us so much last year. The NatWest [Trophy final at Lord's] and the success in the ICC Champions Trophy were won with the bat.

Our inconsistent bowling is the weak link. What we need to do is not search for four or five bowlers, but to have options, lots of them. These options will cater for the bad days for specialist bowlers. Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh should bowl more, as should Sachin Tendulkar. With his ability to adapt to the situation, it is surprising that he was not asked to bowl in the recent past. He has the knack of picking wickets. Sourav Ganguly should also bowl more often. If these bowlers can squeeze in seven or eight overs it would be very handy. New Zealand is a very good side because all their frontline batsmen, barring skipper Stephen Fleming, are seamers.

You successfully coached the under-19 side in England? How has the journey from player to coach been? Does it hurt that you exited in a rather ugly manner?

I am enjoying it. After bidding goodbye to international cricket I am now looking beyond that episode. I want to develop young people into good cricketers. I can't think of going back into the game anymore. I am totally focussed about what I do. I don't let failure upset me.

Have you done any coaching course? How do you approach your job?

I believe you should let people play their natural game. You can touch up on the mental aspect without trying to change their technique. The coach needs to work on the weak areas and enhance their capabilities. If a guy does not do well, then it is important for the coach to lift him morally.

You agreed to lead the alternative Indian side for the Champions Trophy during the ICC contracts dispute. Don't you think you let the Indian players, with many of whom you played, down?

I only agreed to lead the side as a stopgap. What letting down business are you talking about? I made it clear last year that I am done with the game, that's why I took up the coaching assignment. I was only helping the Board.

But that did affect the unity of the players. Shouldn't you have lent support to the players fighting the system? Some members of the team were very disappointed that you agreed to sign the contract.

What unity are you talking about? Who supported me when I was dropped? Who fought for me? Who questioned the selectors when I was unfairly sacked? No one!

Haven't youngsters like Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Mongia been supported by seniors in the team? Haven't things changed now? The captain and seniors fight for and back the younger players.

There is no unity, only common interest. Why did Ganguly not fight for Murali Kartik's inclusion in the World Cup squad? Why didn't they fight for me?

All friendship ends when you walk out of that dressing room.

They back players who have endorsements so that the sponsors get more mileage with more of their players in the team.

Personal interest -- that's what this is all about! Only Bangalore boys fight for Bangalore boys. Unity starts and ends there.

You tell me. When Javagal Srinath said he did not wish to play one-day cricket, why was he summoned from England to Colombo and asked to play the Champions Trophy games? He was not ready to play before that, [but] once the [chairman of selectors] changes he agrees to play [Brijesh Patel of Karnataka had taken over from Chandu Borde of Maharashtra]? National interest does not count here, is it?

If the guys were so high on unity, why didn't they call me in England? They could have called me and asked me not to sign. I would have thought about it.

One of the senior guys asked me why I signed. I replied it was my prerogative. I don't have to answer anyone.

The Under-19 side was doing so well in England, yet no one bothered to call and congratulate us. What team spirit or patriotism are you talking about?

What have these guys done for domestic cricket?

With so much international cricket being played, where can these players participate in domestic games?

I have played domestic cricket between one-day games. It is all about passion for the game. During those days there was only one day between one-dayers. Today there are three days between games.

All excuses!