Part I: 'People are saying I am mad to leave'
Andrew Leipus changed the way a generation of Indian cricketers viewed the game. From a time when one couldn't find a bandage in the Indian dressing room's first-aid kit to a point where India's top cricketers don't need to be coaxed into training in the gymnasium, the Aussie made an impact on the nation's standing in the game.
The 34-year-old physio began his stint with Indian cricket in 1999 and signed off at the fag end of 2004 after the tour of Bangladesh.
Before leaving for Adelaide, where he will update himself on the latest advances in physiotherapy, Senior Cricket Correspondent Ashish Magotra caught up Leipus to review the five years he spent with the Indian team for a major interview, the concluding part of which we publish today:
Indian cricket has had quite a few memorable moments during your stint. Is there a moment that stands out?
I look at each milestone that the players achieved as a great memory. We all celebrate together and it is a great moment. Sachin Tendulkar's 34th century, Kumble becoming India's most successful bowler ever or [V V S] Laxman's brilliant form during the series against Australia in 2001; being in Pakistan and wining there. It was a lot closer than people think it was and to win was especially wonderful, especially with the hype that was surrounding the tour.
During the World Cup in South Africa I got to spend a lot of time with my wife as well so that was pretty special as well. Everything just seemed to click into place and it was just perfect. But there have been so many highs. We had some fun times; some musical times.
Some of the players like to sing; John (Wright) likes to sing; he gets his guitar out. When we first started, we had a camp in Bangalore. We did a lot of team building activities and one of those nights was basically sitting around; just the players and no one else around. We had this buffet at the Taj West End and John got his guitar out and started singing and the boys joined in. Then, we had a few beers and it was just a lovely evening.
Just being around such successful people for such a long time has, hopefully, rubbed on to me. Just living and being involved in Indian culture has been a privilege.
Earlier you had mentioned about how intimidated you felt in the beginning. When did you really start feeling as if you were part of the team?
I guess when I got my first contract. The Board wasn't as professional back then as it is now, and I got my first contract after two-and-a-half years. In that respect, it was an ongoing thing. My initial period was for one season, which was then extended by six months and then it was just rolled over and over.
So I never really knew when I was going to be told to leave. I never had any job security. It was unnerving at times, but now it is chalk and cheese with me at least. That was the time I thought, 'Wow, I am going to be with the team for the next 18 months.'
But you know you are one of the boys. Like when we had this surprise party for me in Dhaka (during the recent series against Bangladesh). All the boys got together and organised a dinner without me having a clue. It was a very emotional time for me to know that the boys would go to that sort of length to say goodbye. That's very special.
Just makes me wonder what made you stick with the team when you didn't even have a contract for so long. It must have been toughÂ…
I love my job; it is not always about the money. Financial security is important, but you also have to enjoy what you are doing. Only if you enjoy what you are doing then you will do it to the best of your ability. I love the players and I love the buzz of being involved with an international team. As a sports physio, it is something that you always aspire to do. When I got the opportunity I grabbed it with both hands. The other things were not really that important. I was just happy to be involved.
Obviously, as you get older job security and finances become important, but for a younger person it is just about the love of what you are doing.
How will the boys remember you? As a hard taskmaster or a lenient chap?
(Smiles) I think you should be asking the boys that.
I call a spade a spade and I think that's the way they appreciate it. I am tougher with the juniors than I am with the seniors. Someone has got to show the youngsters a bit of discipline and I am the second senior-most person after John in the side. So, obviously, it has got to come from someone.
As for the senior players, we just have mutual respect for each other. I know their quirks and they know mine. I know their problems; I can see when their problems are about to occur and that is something that comes after a time of working with a group.
It will take time for the next person to figure that out, but not as long as it took me originally.
Was there a point where you were really disappointed or vexed by something that happened?
I hate to lose. I love to win, but I hate to lose more. When we lose and lose badly it really annoys me. I don't mind losing if it has been a great game and someone has to lose, but if it is through indiscipline it annoys me a lot.
Could you tell us a bit about John Gloster, the former Bangladesh physio, who you have recommended as your replacement?
I just put one name forward. I think it is partly my responsibility to help select the person who will take over from me. Some people may think it is not my responsibility. But I know John well; he's got experience in the subcontinent. I went to university with him and I know he is a good physio. He used to play cricket and I think he will be perfect. But it is the Board's prerogative to decide.
If John Wright is going to leave soon, then the new coach may want to bring in his own support staff. That's another option. At this stage I don't just want to leave carte blanche; I want to actually remain involved in some way, shape or form. I have sent quite a detailed report to the Board about my visions for the future, especially for the domestic game.
Part of reason for me leaving is to further my knowledge, grow as a person and also to spend more time with the family. If they (the BCCI) are looking at a job share situation where we can have two national physios instead of just one, where one is on tour and the other is sitting back at home, then I would only be happy to contribute to Indian cricket.
At the end of your stint, we feel you have made a difference; the players feel you have made a difference. Do you feel that way as well?
I'd like to think so. One of the sides of the job that's sometimes hard to measure is that when things are going well people don't see the hard work that is going on behind the scenes and when things don't go too well people are looking for scapegoats. That's annoying.
But, then, when a player reaches a milestone or a century, it is very satisfying. For example, when Kumble had trouble with his shoulder. He had some really rough times. With his arm in a sling he couldn't lift his arm; there must have been plenty of negative thoughts going through his mind and now to see him become India's most successful bowler is an amazing transition. To have been part of that and to have helped him, I feel quite privileged.
It is one of those things where you see the fruits of your labour in the way the players perform. You sort of sit back and smile at yourself and think, 'Yeah, I had a part to play in that person achieving that.'
The players have certainly become fitter with you around. Did your cricket improve as well?
(Laughs) Well, I was a tennis player. So, no; it didn't improve. If anything, I have a sore shoulder from all the throwing I have done over the years. Thankfully, I don't do a lot of throwing now; that's what (grinning) Gregory King is for.
And what about your Hindi?
That's another thing I am disappointed about. Because I never knew how long I was going to be here, I never really got down to learning it. If I had known five years ago that I was going to be here this long, we would be having this conversation in Hindi.
