CHENNAI: Javagal Srinath is still the role model for many of the current Indian cricketers who derive inspiration from him and seek his advice.
Srinath, a consultant coach at the MRF Pace Foundation is in Chennai to have a look at the trainees and in particular help Brett Lee, who is here to taste the conditions in the sub-continent.
A relaxed Srinath will give you his honest views of cricket around the world, whether it is the Brett Lee phenomenon, problems of fast bowlers or Indian cricket in particular.
``Brett Lee is a gift to bowling. He symbolises speed, which is nice to see and in turn helps one develop a lot of interest in fast bowling. It will definitely inspire lot of cricketers to take up fast bowling and try to emulate him. It is good to see him back in action,'' said Srinath, who has seen Lee blossom from a rookie into a genuine fast bowler.
Srinath rates Lee as a fast bowler who has great control.``Lee's strength is his speed. He is able to bowl quick on a regular basis and plus has good control. Injuries are part of the game. It is a learning process, we have to wait and see how he positions himself and handles pressure of international cricket.''
The former Indian bowler thinks Lee is quite professional in his attitude as he chose to visit Chennai to get acclimatised to the Indian conditions, ``It is a professional attitude and I welcome it. It takes lot of effort for a top bowler to come and stay for a period of time and get used to the conditions,'' he said.
The former Indian speedster said the current side as one of the best the country has ever produced. Although the team has been losing in many finals, Srinath still believes that the side has the potential to bounce back with a bang in the coming one-day series.
``Yes, I know we have lost in quite a few finals. Reaching the final is itself a Herculean task. We have lost on a couple of occasions to Australia. This team does have the potential to win a major tournament, we cannot simply write off the team, '' said Srinath.
``Ganguly has been doing well. The four medium-pacers Zaheer, Nehra, Pathan and Balaji are talented and will be the torchbearers of the country in future,'' added Srinath.
He was also sad that Zaheer, who is Chennai to train at the foundation, was out of the side due to injury.
``Zaheer must understand the importance of fitness and make the necessary changes. It is unfortunate that India has to play without him due to injury and I am sure the Baroda lad will come back with flying colours.''
``I think the team management is trying to work out a balance. It is up to them to decide on what is good for the side. We cannot pass judgement sitting somewhere else,'' opined Srinath on the issue of specialist opener and specialist wicket-keeper
He stated that he was not approached by the Board to be the bowling coach.
On whether he would take up the assignment if the BCCI approached him, Srinath said, ``Let me think of crossing the bridge, when I reach the banks.''