The Indian coaches

How good have Venky and Robin been since they've come on board?

Personally, I think Venky's been brilliant. He's got the pacers bowling with great discipline, something which was non-existent bar Srinath after 2000. It's not like we haven't had talented pacers, like Nehra, Agarkar for example, before. Something has changed, they're hitting the line and length a lot better than I've seen them hit with more consistency than ever before IMO. And I think a bit of his aggro is rubbing off as well on the bowlers, not that Sreesanth and Bhajji need too much encouragement to have a go at people. Zaheer's inswinger has improved since his comeback, RP is a different bowler altogether, Pathan seems to have found his swing again in this match, and although I don't think he's responsible for all of it, it's undeniable that the pacers are improving under him. It would have been unthinkable for me having lost ALL THREE of our first choice pacers (well, my first choice anyways), to perform as we have in Perth.

Robin's not that obvious, but I think our fielding's improved as well. No one, absolutely no one, will be able to make Dravid, Laxman and Ganguly improve their ground fielding now, so we might as well ignore that. The others have IMO.

Honourable mention to Gary Kirsten. What a bloody legend, first match with the team and immediate results.

doremi wrote:How good have Venky and Robin been since they've come on board?

No one, absolutely no one, will be able to make Dravid, Laxman and Ganguly improve their ground fielding now, so we might as well ignore that.

It is never too late. You should have seen Navjot Singh Sidhu among our most pathetic fielders ever in his last test comeback in 1998 - 2000. He had gotten fitter and for some time was even fielding as well to be called India's Jonty Singh [after Jonty Rhodes]. Mind you this was at an age more than 35, near his retirement. Robin at the age of 37 was as good as Jonty himself throwing himself all around the ground and converting half chances. Azhar's fitness even at 38 when match fixing fixed his career's end was as young as any 25 years old in fielding, running between wickets and fitness. Robin, Azhar, Sidhu, Dravid, Laxman and Ganguly were all part of the squad then and all Robin has to do to get the lazy seniors is to show them videos of Sidhu, Azhar and himself.

Anyone know if Kirsten will be keeping these two on? I certainly hope he does.

Batman wrote: Robin at the age of 37 was as good as Jonty himself throwing himself all around the ground and converting half chances.

I will let other forummers comment on this

Upton on board.

So that's

Kirsten - Head coach (batting)
Prasad - Bowling coach
Robin - Fielding coach
Upton - Sports psych/mental conditioning and possibly fitness trainer

All we need now is a physio and perhaps a fitness trainer.

taipan wrote:

Batman wrote: Robin at the age of 37 was as good as Jonty himself throwing himself all around the ground and converting half chances.

I will let other forummers comment on this

What he (batman) said !

taipan wrote:

Batman wrote: Robin at the age of 37 was as good as Jonty himself throwing himself all around the ground and converting half chances.

I will let other forummers comment on this

Batman in getting all homoerotic over Robin shock . . .

rey wrote:Anyone know if Kirsten will be keeping these two on? I certainly hope he does.

Robin looks like has signed up as one of the IPL coaches. Can't say.