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Never-say-die Robin takes on a new role

By S. Dinakar

Chennai July 13. Whether striking the ball with power, landing seamers on the right spot, sprinting between the wickets, or throwing himself to snaffle the speeding ball, Robin Singh comes across as the eternal trier of Indian cricket.

The gutsy Robin, such a valuable performer for India in the ODIs, is in a new role these days as India's under-19 coach.

While he has not put a full stop to his international career as yet - Robin has been overlooked by the National selectors since 2001 - the Tamil Nadu cricketer is looking forward to the fresh challenge with an amalgam of hope and confidence.

The Indian under-19 side that leaves for England on July 15 will figure in three `Tests' and an equal number of one-dayers, apart from the numerous tour games. Robin is optimistic.

The 38-year-old Robin, in an exclusive interview to The Hindu, had this to say about his job. ``It's interesting. I would like to think I can be successful. The only way to learn is to work hard at it. You have to get the respect of the players, the rest becomes easy. The point is you have to like what you are doing and do it honestly.''

He wants the youngsters to understand the value of the India cap - ``what it means to play for India. They have to get the concept right. And take the concept from there. These are the cricketers who are going to be the future of India.''

Robin, still fighting fit, believes it is crucial to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a player - ``If you know they have the talent or learn about whatever limitations they have and make them work around that, you can get the best out of them. Once you do that, half the battle is won.''

Conceding the assignment would not be an easy one; Robin observes he would have to handle each young cricketer on an individual basis. ``Every cricketer's temperament is different. That is why a coach has to go into the personal aspect. You have to talk to them separately. Understand their temperament, their attitude. Plan strategies. Get them thinking as players.''

A coach should enable a player to turn the corner, help him overcome failures. ``You play big cricket and do well, you know what it feels like. You do badly, you know what it feels like. You should be able to lift yourself up to a level of performance that will be creditable to the team. Even if you have had a bad day, you should be able to compete the next. Here, the coach steps in. He has to be with the boys during the ups and the downs.''

The aspirants should be allowed to play their natural game, he notes, but within a specific set of `team' guidelines.

"They should enjoy the feeling that they are representing the country. Go out there and give their best. At the same time, you got to make them understand their roles relating to the success of the team. Every player has a role to play in a team. They have to realise what they can and cannot do.''

The often demanding conditions in the Old Blighty are bound to test the temperament of character of the boys - ``It is good that they are getting exposed to it at a young age. They have to play according to situation, and make the most of it. The idea is to win. There is no point in going out and just participating,'' says Robin.

Now, to the key question. How did he graduate into a coach even while continuing as a first class cricketer. ``I think they (Board) probably felt I had the right credentials as a cricketer, qualities which I could pass on to the boys,'' is the simple but straight answer. Robin was one of the coaches in the National Cricket Academy's (NCA) South Zone camp at Vizag this year, and then guided the aspirants during the NCA inter-zone competition in Bangalore.

He is realistic enough to admit that his career as an India cricketer may be close to an end. And he wants to take the step forward. ``Playing for India, to be quite honest, looks difficult at this point of time. I wouldn't like to think that here was an opportunity where I could have done something for Indian cricket and I let it slip by. Life has to move on. That's the whole idea.''

The foot soldier marches on.

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