Balaji seeks consistency

Having been clobbered all over the park in his opening spells during the recent one-day cricket series against Pakistan, Laxmipathy Balaji is now determined to plug the loopholes in order to concede less runs in the first 15 overs, which is the "key to a positive result of the match".

The Tamil Nadu seamer is utilising the welcome three-month break from international cricket to hone his skills in the shorter version of the game and make himself an all-round bowler.

"I want to show consistency and take more wickets for India. We struggled in one-day games against Pakistan. I want to master my skills in the first 15 overs of a match and stop conceding runs," the 23-year old Balaji said.

The right-arm seamer is wiser by the experience, and a fast learner as well.

His impressive performance in the Tests against arch-rivals Pakistan, on return from an eight-month injury lay-off, was followed by some rough sailing in the one-day series, where he was at the receiving end of Shahid Afridi.

Balaji went for 51 runs in six overs at Kanpur, where Afridi struck the world's second fastest ODI century of 102 in 42 balls.

"The first 15 overs are the key to a positive result in a match. So I am prepared to take this challenge and I want to implement all my plans in the coming series," he said.

His predicament is interesting because Balaji came on the scene, in 2002, with the image of a one-day specialist. Then Australia 2004 happened, and since the tour of Pakistan, his big toothy smile has become a permanent feature of the Indian team.

In contrast, in the last three one-day tournaments excluding the tri-series in Holland -- the Asia Cup, the NatWest Challenge in England, and the series against Pakistan -- he has averaged above 57.00 with eight wickets in 10 matches.

In between, in his zeal to improve, the youngster tried too many things and lost his action. And the worst nightmares came in September last year when he returned home from England before the prestigious Champions Trophy with an abdominal injury.

Balaji's fightback from the career-threatening injury is a story in itself. And he is thankful to MRF Pace Foundation for the support and guidance.

"It's the only such international foundation in the country and (Dennis) Lillee advised me as to how I should attack the crease, jump out and to bowl to line and length," Balaji said.

"That really helped me sort out deficiencies. Importantly, he gave me few tips on improving upon my skills to a great extent.

"It is always necessary to seek the advices from a legend like Lillee."

A combination of abdominal muscle tear, inflammation in the adductor region and oestistubis, a major inflammation on the cartilage of the pelvic bone, made the recovery process a complicated and sensitive one.

Foundation's fitness trainer Ramji Srinivasan explained the tough and self-doubting weeks the bowler had to go through.

'It generally happens due to sudden turning and twisting and Balaji must have developed this problem because of sheering force due to backfoot landing and weak abdominal area,' Ramji said.

"Andrew Leipus (the then physio of Indian team) sent us the details of tests done in England and in India and also gave a basic programme.

"We modified it according to Balaji's requirement. All our tests and his progressive developments were also scientifically validated."

After the initial screening, Balaji started off with basic weight training, movement analysis and developing core strength and stability, gate training principles and functional drills.

Targets were set on a month-by-month basis. His running technique was changed, including the initial strides and back-foot and left-foot landing. All devised to suit his specific bowling methods.

'This is the first time that anyone in India is attending to a specific problem of a bowler for an injury. The drills adapted was very specific to Balaji which may not suit any other bowler,' Ramji said.

The first six months was spent on just getting back to bowling.

Balaji said the tips given by Lillee and Foundation's Head Coach T A Sekhar were of great help. "Those adjustments like run-up and delivery of the ball did help me," he said.

"Preparing for the league is the immediate task, though I am working simultaneously for forthcoming international events," he said.

"I plan my workouts and skill improvements. I have been keeping in touch with Gregory King (Indian team trainer) and all my seniors in the team during the off season."

In keeping with the modern trend, he has added yoga and meditation to his daily schedule.

"I have been experiencing that yoga and meditation helps in my body being relaxed and bowl in rhythmic manner.

"I always look forward to take challenges and go head-on to achieve it. If I am not head-on, my performance will go down.

"I am trying to master that aspect and so far I have found positive and gained in confidence and accuracy besides other things," he added.