'Fitness levels can be better' - King

According to Greg King, Munaf Patel, back from injury, is progressing well © AFP

Considering the grueling nine-months that lie ahead of India, team trainer Greg King feels that the bowlers' fitness levels need improving. However, he expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the five-day bowlers' fitness camp in Mysore.

"To be frank, the fitness levels can be better," King told reporters. "That's why camps like this are good as it helps us assess as to where the players stand; those guys who are below the mark, we have tried to get them back on track. But as a fitness trainer you do think that all the guys could have been in better condition."

King was happy with the way the fitness camp unfolded. "We have been able to achieve everything that we set to achieve. We have done what we usually do in a fitness camp; assess the fitness of players, make sure that the guys understand and get on to their individual programmes. Also, Venkatesh Prasad [bowling coach] had a one-on-one session with the bowlers on technical aspects."

RP Singh, the left-arm pace bowler, too revealed that the focus of the camp was fitness. "It was all about fitness keeping in mind the busy schedule ahead," he said. "Prasad had one or two sessions with us on the bowling. We concentrated on body positions, and follow through."

India have had their share of bowler-related injuries in recent times, with Munaf Patel and Sreesanth missing key games. Asked whether there was an increase in such breakdowns, King said he didn't see any alarming pattern. "I don't think there were no more or no less injuries than before. A lot of the time we can't get the right reason behind these injuries. Of course I would like to see improvement in certain areas as each guy has been individually spoken on what he needs to do. With the tough schedule coming up we have given them specific programmes, anyone coming in and out [of the team] will know exactly the schedule to follow. So when they do come back into the team they are, ideally, already at a good level of fitness."

A typical day at the bowlers' fitness camp would begin with high intensity running and conditioning exercises in the morning session followed by strengthening exercises after lunch. In the evening there were bonding sessions such as volleyball, badminton and time in the pool. While King chalked out customised programmes for the players, Prasad would have a one-on-one with a bowler.

King was pleased with Munaf's progress. "Munaf is looking good and coming along well. Obviously [physio] John Gloster will have to assess him at the next stage, but he completed all the fitness drills with the same intensity as everyone else."

A typical day at the bowlers' fitness camp would begin with high intensity running and conditioning exercises in the morning session followed by strengthening exercises after lunch. In the evening there were bonding sessions such as volleyball, badminton and time in the pool. While King chalked out customised programmes for the players, Prasad would have a one-on-one with a bowler.

The players also interacted with the Infosys Leadership Institute. "It allowed Prasad to see the guys interacting in different situations," King said. "In any team environment you will have to communicate with each other, work towards a common objective and these sessions were designed in improving communication within the group."

Later this month, India embark on an 80-day tour of Ireland and England after which they immediately travel to South Africa for the Twenty20 World Cup that starts on September 9. Once that is over they return home for a seven-match one-day series against Australia and a full series with Pakistan. Shortly after those two contests India set off on a tour of Australia.