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We have a great bunch of fast bowlers: Prasad
Harish Kotian in Mumbai

Venkatesh Prasad
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March 19, 2008 15:56 IST

While fielding coach Robin Singh and assistant coach Lalchand Rajput are set to get the axe, India's bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad looks certain to continue.

Since taking charge as bowling coach after India's World Cup debacle last year, Prasad has played an instrumental role in shaping up the team's fast bowling resources to the enviable position it finds itself in now. Therefore, it is no surprise that new coach Gary Kirsten wants him to continue.

Asked whether his term has been extended, Prasad told rediff.com: "I believe so. Gary Kirsten and Anil Kumble [Images] have already spoken to me and we discussed about India's fast bowlers. So I think I will continue.

"The discussion I had with Kirsten was on the role that I was doing."

It was under his guidance that India was able to spot and groom young talented fast bowlers in Ishant Sharma and R P Singh, while experienced pros like Zaheer Khan [Images], Munaf Patel [Images], S Sreesanth [Images] and Irfan Pathan [Images] also benefited from his expertise.

The fast bowlers played a key role in India's top-notch performance in Australia in both the Tests and the ODI tri-series. Even the Test series triumph in England and the Test victory in South Africa was down to the fast bowlers outshining their batting counterparts.

Still, Prasad believes there is a lot of work to be done.

"I am satisfied to some extent with how our fast bowling department has shaped up, but not completely. I believe there is a lot of work to do, both technically and tactically," he said.

"But it is good to know that our fast bowlers have done extremely well so far. We need to carry this momentum on to the South Africa Test series too," he added.

Venkatesh Prasad with Zaheer KhanThe 38-year-old former Karnataka bowler also paid rich tributes to all under his tutelage.

"We have a great bunch of fast bowlers. They are hard-working, quick to learn and the attitude they showed [in Australia] was remarkable and it really helped a lot.

"I believe that all the bowlers deserve a lot of credit for the way they have performed in all conditions," Prasad said.

He admitted that injuries to the pacers in the last few months were a distraction.

"But you cannot help it. Injuries are a part and parcel of the game. You just have to prepare everybody to take up a step and be ready for the big stage," Prasad said.

Prasad, who hails from Bangalore, is also keenly looking forward to next month's Indian Premier League. He will be coaching the Bangalore Royal Challengers, which will be captained by former team mate Rahul Dravid [Images].

"I am looking forward to it. As a team we are all geared up and believe that we can do well in the IPL," he said.


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