y enjoyable part of my life. Working with MRF and the whole team here, from the coaching staff right down to the groundsmen, it's been a pleasure to be involved with them. We have had a great team, two great chief coaches in TA Sekar and M Senthilnathan, the groundsmen have been fantastic. Having said that, it was very difficult at the start. I'd nearly given up quite a few times. Ravi Mammen had the belief we can help find some fast bowlers in India and train them. This was his brainchild, which has been carried on by the brothers and now his nephew. It is a big family concern and they are hundred per cent behind it.
Are you happy with the way the Indian fast bowlers have come up from the PF?
There have been a few standouts and a couple of disappointments. There have been a few ones along the way. I certainly think you have got a pretty good attack at the moment. As I am talking to you, we have got about 10 young guys who will be knocking at the door within a year or two.
Who has impressed you the most?
Zaheer Khan has been a standout. He's a very complete fast bowler now. He may have gone down from140s (kmph) to 130s. But he is moving the ball, he is a smart bowler now, much smarter now, something you need to survive as a bowler.
You rejected Sachin Tendulkar when he had dreams of becoming a fast bowler. Did you have any hint as to how he'd shape up?
When I first saw him, he came as a fast bowler. He was never going to be a fast bowler, he was obviously rejected. We used to invite young batsmen to face the fast bowlers and he came a year later. I saw him at the nets, he was smashing our bowlers all over the place, no matter what they bowled. I asked Sekar (then chief coach) for his name, he said 'Sachin Tendulkar'. I won't remember that name, Sachin or Searchin but I said this guy would not only 'search' for runs but would make thousands of runs in Test cricket. He was only 15 at that time. He was outstanding. And still is.
Many believe that foreigners have benefited from the PF more than the Indians.
As per the Memorandum of Understanding with other countries, they send their best two or three bowlers whereas here we hunt for people from all round India. Indian cricketers have realised that it is an incredibly hard game to bowl fast. It took a long time to convince the young Indian boys that they need to do a hell of a lot of hard work. They now understand that. Foreign players, by nature, have to do the work as they are professionals in their country.
Young fast bowlers are breaking down in their debut series like Pat Cummins, James Pattinson and Varun Aaron. Is something wrong somewhere?
It has nothing to do with them trying to impress straightaway. These guys have been bowling fast since they were 12, 13, 14 or 15 years of age. They have not just started bowling fast when they make their debut. You need to look what work they are doing towards fitness and strength. It is a different thing to play club cricket, a few Sheffield Shield cricket or first class cricket, and then go on to play continuously. They may not be doing enough strengthening or stretching work. I don't find them running anymore. For fast bowling, running is a major component.
What precautions should one take to prolong one's career?
I asked Mitchell Johnson how much running he did. He said "almost nil". I can't work that out. If a lot of other fast bowlers in the world aren't doing much running, it is one thing they should look at straightaway.
Has it got to do with a lot of time at the gym than running?
I would certainly have a good fitness strength and flexibility routine. It means not necessarily the big gym look but having strength and good flexibility. You need to have the aerobic capacity of a midfielder in football. A fast bowler has got to be that fit.
What's next after MRF PF? Would you be coming back?
I won't be retired for sure. I have got a lot of business interests in Perth and do a lot of charity work. I do a little bit of coaching in Perth when the time permits. I will be coming back to Chennai in August for a last official time. MRF has asked if I'd like to consider coming back for a couple of days every now and again. I am open to that.