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The Rediff Interview/ Andrew Kokinos

'With good rest I am sure Sachin will be okay'

Players from all countries other than India and Pakistan have mastered the art of diving and stopping the ball. Why are our players so hesitant to try the technique?

If I am not mistaken, Venky [Venkatesh Prasad] tried diving and injured himself in the process. There's a fear of diving for the ball. The grounds in India are very uneven and hard.

If you ask Bobby Simpson he will say that if you are diving you haven't been fast enough to reach the ball. Also, after you dive you have to be up on your feet to throw the ball back. It is time-consuming if it doesn't come naturally to one.

New Zealanders love to dive because it comes naturally to them. Harbhajan has been diving around and is pretty comfortable with it.

Don't the players practice during camps that are held?

What camps are you talking? We have had only one camp in Madras so far. There's no time for camps. The others have only been two-three day practice sessions. These 2, 3 day camps are essentially meant to get the team together.

I can't ask the players to start diving around in a two-day camp. If they get injured, I'll be in trouble.

You seem to be happy with the team's fitness, then why is it that one still feel that there's something missing in this side?

I didn't say I was happy with the team's fitness or performance. I said I'm satisfied with their efforts. We all know that there are some points that we need to work on but that's something that is between me and the players. We will work it out and hopefully things will fall in place.

Who is the fittest player in the Indian side?

I'd say that Robin Singh is the fittest player in the side.

And the slowest?

Without taking any names I'd say there are a few guys who need to work on their fitness. I am sure that they will pull through and overcome these weaknesses.

What is the problem with Sachin's back?

I have not met Sachin since the back problem so I don't think I am in a position to talk. But I don't think it is too serious a problem.

It was a case of back spasms, and he said that he was able to run but was unable to play his shots. He had sacro-iliatus, which is not very serious. With good rest I am sure it will be okay.

Why was Sachin wearing a belt for his back in Delhi when he came out to bat?

There was no time gap between the two Tests for Sachin to recover. You see, the back needs time to recuperate. There was absolutely no time for that. So to play safe and avoid aggravation of the back, Sachin wore a belt.

Are you happy with Kambli's fitness? You think he is ready to play at the highest level? Just yesterday he admitted he felt absolutely comfortable batting; it was during fielding that he had trouble because it involves a lot of sideways running.

His ankle is fine. I didn't say he's completely fit. Yeah, he needs to improve on his fielding, but the most important thing is that he needs to lose a lot of weight. There is no alternative to that. He better lose six, seven kilos. He is overweight. Everyone knows that. It's obvious.

One of the senior members of the squad suggested that it's better to be a little overweight in England. It helps to fight the biting cold. What do you think?

Overweight? Uhmm... I'm not quite sure about that. But I think one should not be underweight. You know, Ajit (Agarkar) might have problems in England. He literally has no fat on him.

If you were given the complete control of the team, how would you plan the training schedules of the players?

I think the main thing is time. I was with a football team back in Australia. Their season is strictly from March to September. So you see, they have to be absolutely fit. You know you can't hide and get away there.

In cricket, one can get away even if he is not 100 per cent fit. Take the example of Arjuna Ranatunga, who is not the fittest of guys. But you know his value to the side cannot be undermined.

How do you plan to go about for the forthcoming World Cup?

We have a good three weeks in England. You know, the guys will have more time to acclimatise themselves. Bob and I will get together and get the boys fit and raring to go.

Right now, we have not planned anything because the World Cup is almost two months away. But I guess that once we get our act together, our efforts will show results...