A swinging time

The Indians don’t match up to the legendary Caribbean pacers who notched up the last win here at the WACA ground. And they have left the big names — Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth, Munaf Patel and Ajit Agarkar - back home because of injuries. But now, they can applaud the juniors.

This Indian seam attack of RP Singh, Irfan Pathan and Ishant Sharma proved that they are no longer the weak links. RP is establishing himself, Pathan is on the verge of forging his reentry into Test Cricket fold while Ishant is the newcomer.

Terry Alderman, one of Australia’s greatest swing bowlers, saw them here and said their success is due to “the correct technique of the Indians in holding the ball, nothing else”.

Venkatesh Prasad, India’s bowling coach believes it’s the natural grip and working on little body positioning that has given the desired results. So we have three different heights and speeds of bowlers running in with three different grips while holding the ball and getting the same results.

RP and Pathan remembered just four words thrust upon their minds by Prasad —- aage dalna hai, bus. RP admitted: “We don’t have the kind of pace like the Australians. So swing was our best bet.”

Prasad has been a great force behind this inexperienced bunch. “Why should I take any credit for the performance? It’s the boys who have done the job,” he said humbly.

But Pathan is the first one to acknowledge his contribution. “Venky (as he is fondly called) is always talking to us during practice or the match. Since he was a pretty good bowler, he understands you. If he sees someone just sitting there he will ask questions and offer help. That’s very important as a coach.”

In the lead-up this Test match, it’s just been Prasad, Pathan and the four orange cones. The coach made his bowler get the exact right areas that they so diligently changed from batsman to batsman. RP and Ishant went through such paces too. “Venky is like a coach, mentor and like a friend too,” said Ishant.