But now, the foundation finds itself at the crossroads. 2008 has brought about a few changes. Aussie legend Denis Lillee trains the bunch of fringe players, but TA Sekar, the chief coach and the face of the foundation in India since inception, isn’t by his side. Earlier this year, Sekar parted ways with MRF as GMR signed him to coach the Delhi Daredevils IPL side.

Also missing from Lillee’s huddle are India’s national team pacers, who usually turned to MRF whenever they were out of the team, dealing with bowling flaws or preparing for the season ahead. The BCCI’s recent diktat to its players happens to be reason for this. MRF is now out of bounds. The cash-rich body, after feeding from the fertile pace factory during its modest days, has altered the travel destination to Bangalore now. Ambitious plans are afoot at the National Cricket Academy these days.

Sunil Dev, a senior member of BCCI’s NCA committee, minces no words. “We have asked our cricketers to stay away from the MRF Pace Foundation. During the off-season, future players and even those who aren’t on international duty will now spend time at the NCA, where we have appointed a bowling coach in B Arun. And once the NCA is shifted to a bigger place, we intend to start a specialised pace wing as well.”

But with Lillee around, and the bowling coach of the Ashes victory fame, Troy Cooley, about to land at MRF, there are a few helpless calls being made from Bangalore to Chennai.

... contd.