Leipus, an earnest taskmaster

By Our Sports Reporter

CHENNAI, FEB. 10. ``It's a love-hate relationship. I make them work hard. They abuse me. We fire strong words at each other... but with a smile,'' a beaming Andrew Leipus, physio, Indian cricket team, revealed when asked about his relationship with the boys, during the conditioning camp for the probables at the IIT- Chemplast ground here on Saturday.

Leipus does seem to possess the ability to get the maximum out of the players, planning and discipline being his forte. ``Everything has been according to a schedule. Breakfast at 7.30 a.m. and then to the camp. If a player is late by even three seconds, he is fined.''

The idea is not to waste a single minute, keeping the players engaged all the time. ``We are fine-tuning them, their leg strength, trunk, shoulders, and are also focussing on their agility, especially while taking catches. In fact, John (Wright) is working them on a high intensity fielding and catching training with little recovery time. The players have given more than 110 per cent.''

The physio added that Wright, the coach, had played a central role in this camp, where things have been organised meticulously. He also had a word of praise for the facilities, especially the Chemplast ground.

Leipus feels leg-spinner Anil Kumble, who underwent shoulder surgery recently in South Africa, should recover fully within the next four to six months. ``We are not going to rush him. He is in the early stages of his rehabilitation. After surgery some muscles and joints become stiff and it takes time. I have been doing some routines with him on the pool too. Kumble has been responding well.''

And Javagal Srinath's shoulder? The answer is quick. ``It's hundred per cent.''

He said youngsters like Mohammed Kaif and Shiv Sundar Das had been impressive during the camp. ``Fitness is a gradual process. Ideally, the players should start specialised training in their teens so that their bodies are strong in their 20s.''

How do the Indian players compare with the Australians and the South Africans physically? ``In flexibility the Indians are better. They are lacking in strength, while the endurance levels are about the same.'' Here, he believes that since the Aussies and the South Africans played a lot more outdoor games like rugby as they grow up they were ``not frightened by the thought of throwing themselves at the ball.''

Robin to lead India `B'

During the day, Mr. Chandu Borde, chairman, national selection panel, named Robin Singh, who visited the camp today, as the captain of the India `B' side for the Challenger Series since Sachin Tendulkar, originally named the skipper, was reluctant to lead the side.

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