You have played your cricket and also earned the qualification to coach. Which is of more use in dealing with the players?

• 60-40 in favour of experience as a cricketer. You know how to react to situations better if you have played but yes, qualifications in coaching is equally important. You must know the bio-mechanics to be able to correct a fault in a bowler.

Isn’t it strange that none in your unit want to be a tearaway fast bowler? Does that allow more discipline in bowling and would you attribute that aspect to your win here?

• I don’t have fast bowlers, but I have three strike bowlers with me. What I don’t want in my fast bowling unit is a third seamer. I don’t have any guy who comes in the side as a third seamer. All the boys when they play their domestic cricket are strike bowlers for their respective teams, be it Ishant, Pankaj, Pathan or VRV, I just urge them to keep that attacking spirit. If Pathan or Ishant is coming one-change to bowl, they become the strike bowler for the team.

How do you monitor the workload of the bowlers, and keep that intensity on field?

• Gregory (King) and I have been keeping an eye on it. We observe the spells they bowl at the nets, during the matches. We do a lot of training, and sometimes if we feel that the bowlers are getting worked up, we just give them a day off at nets and tell them to go out and do whatever, just to free their mind and come back fresh.

... contd.