``The decision of Bharti Vij (left-arm spinner) to shift to Bengal (where he is presently playing in the league) and that of Aashish Kapoor (off-spinner) to Rajasthan were big blows to the team's bowling. Both were our strike bowlers,'' feels Bhupinder Singh (Sr).

``Most of our bowlers, including Harbhajan Singh, are from the state's junior squad. Leg-spinner Sandeep Sawal, a first-year student of Khalsa College, Amritsar, is only 17 and played in the Under-16 squad earlier. Navdeep, Lalit Kapoor, Harminder Jugnu, Kailash Sanwal are all practically new faces,'' he adds.

Missing from last year's team are Aashish Kapoor, Bharti Vij, Manav Mehra and Amit Sharma. ``Bhupinder Singh (Jr) played just one league game and didn't show much interest afterwards,'' the manager says. Bhupinder Singh (Sr) feels, ``Punjab cricket is indebted to Bishan Bedi for the manner in which he worked with the players to take them to the top. Punjab Cricket Association is doing its bit to help too.''

``We have to re-build the team all over again. With help, guidance and assistance from senior stars, such as Navjot Sidhu, Vikram Rathore and Dharmani, the youngsters are learning fast. We are taking each game on its merit. Each player is getting the opportunity to prove himself,'' he adds confidently.

Manjit Singh, a SAI coach who earlier worked with the Pace Academy in Chandigarh, is presently with the team as coach. ``This is a nice bunch of cricketers. They are all keen learners who enjoy the game,'' he says. ``Our ultimate aim is to win back the trophy. Our players have the potential and talent to do it again,'' was Bhupinder Singh's parting words.