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December 11, 1998

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The Rediff Interview/ Javagal Srinath

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'I never set goals for myself'

Javagal Srinath Fire and brimstone at the bowling crease, Javagal Srinath is ice cool outside the cricket field. Calm is a word that comes to mind to describe India's ace pace bowler, composed is another.

Looking exceedingly fit, Srinath took time off during a flying visit to Rajkot to promote Coca Cola, to talk to Haresh Pandya -- his only condition being that he would not entertain any controversial questions, as he was prohibited by the terms of his contract with the BCCI from answering such.

The amount of cricket you've been playing of late, isn't it hard on a fast bowler's body?

No, I don't think so. Our board, our management is looking after the players very well, fast bowlers in particular. Anyway, why single India out? All countries, all players all over the world are playing more and more cricket. You can't escape the grind, you just have to prepare yourself mentally and physically for it.

Isn't that easier said than done? As pace spearhead, the demands may be higher on you...

On the contrary, I'd say it's always nice to be given responsibility, even if that means doing more than a fair share of the work. Also, I haven't been bowling as much as before, not such long spells like earlier, so that is helping me conserve my energies.

Are you fully recovered from your shoulder injury?

Yes, certainly, otherwise I wouldn't have been representing India again. There is nothing wrong with my shoulder now. I am fit, healthy and raring to go.

Would you say you are at your peak now?

Not really, I always feel I can do better than what I am doing at present. Whatever my past achievements -- and speaking of that, I remember the Ahmedabad Test against South Africa in 1996 when I got 6 for 21 and helped bundle the side out when they were chasing a modest total to win -- I have a genuine belief that my best is yet to come, hopefully it is on its way.

As a bowler, what goals do you have for yourself?

No goals whatsoever, I never set goals for myself. I just go out there and do my best, for my team and my country, and that is all I want to do, continue to play as well as I can, as long as I can.

Which would you say is the most potent delivery in your arsenal?

I don't rely on any particular ball, actually -- the ball that gets you the wicket is your most potent ball, and it depends actually on who is facing you. I mean, even a slow full toss can be potent, it depends when you use it, and at whom.

Bowling in England, for the World Cup, is going to be different from the kind of wickets you have been bowling on recently. Have you made any special plans for the tournament?

There is still six months to go for the World Cup, so no, I haven't started planning anything just yet. I prefer to concentrate on the next game, the next tournament, that is what is most important -- you have time to plan for the future, it is more important to plan for the game you are playing in tomorrow.

Tell us about your stint at the Australian cricket academy...

Javagal Srinath It was a fantastic, rewarding experience. The concept, the set-up, the mode of functioning of the academy there is very good, very helpful for players who go there. In fact, even the MRF Pace Foundation is very good for pace bowlers. for pace bowlers. I think it will be of tremendous help, though, for budding cricketers, not just fast bowlers, to have a stint at the Australian academy, it helps you develop, improve all round.

How do you rate our team's chances against New Zealand?

Very highly, I see no reason why we shouldn't do well against the Kiwis. We have a great team, we have been doing very well in the recent past, most of the players are in good form, the team morale is high.

But you were winning in Zimbabwe as well, but out of the blue the side lost the one off Test, what went wrong there?

I dont want to comment about that, frankly. I think it is good to forget the past, to concentrate on what lies ahead.

How do you rate your partners, Prasad and Agarkar?

I am very glad that Prasad is fit again and bowling very well, he is good to have at the other end, we work on batsmen together and it is good bowling with him in support. As for Agarkar, why do I have to say anything -- his record in course of his short career is very very impressive, it speaks for itself. He is a very good bowler, with a tremendous future in international cricket.

Do you miss Kapil Dev at the other end?

Even if I miss him, it can't be helped, now that he has retired. He was a great bowler, a fount of inspiration for a whole generation of young fast bowlers in India, and I am just one of them.

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