Kapil to train pacers for World Cup

In a major development for Indian cricket, former India captain Kapil Dev decided to end his self-imposed exile from the game and agreed to head the training wing of pace bowlers, being set up by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, in the run-up to the 2003 World Cup.

Kapil, who paid a visit to Calcutta on Saturday, agreed to take over the responsibility of training the fast bowlers following a meeting with BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya.

Disclosing the news, Dalmiya said on Monday it is an "extremely positive development".

"He will play an active role in grooming the speedsters. We cannot think of a better alternative and it is bound to produce good results.

"Bowling is one of the departments where we must focus attention and keeping in mind that the 2003 World Cup will be held in South Africa, where conditions and wickets favour pace bowlers, we have decided to set up the pace bowlers' wing as a part of the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore," Dalmiya said.

Kapil Dev, who scored 5,248 runs in 131 Tests and scalped 434 wickets, severed all relations with the game after being named by his former team mate Manoj Prabhakar in connection with the match-fixing scandal last year.

Asked how he managed to persuade the allrounder to make the decision, a smiling Dalmiya said: "If the country needs, personal sentiments should be set aside. That is what I believe. When I talked to Kapil he also believed in the same, as his first love has always been cricket. So, he is back."

Dalmiya said once the current Ranji season is over, the BCCI would select eight or ten pace bowlers, including the seniors and those at the junior level, and put them under the tutelage of Kapil Dev, in Bangalore.

He will be assisted by two or three comparatively young former pace bowlers of the country, whose names are yet to be finalised, he said.

Besides honing the bowlers' skills, the wing will also look into various other aspects like strength, endurance, stamina and injury prevention, he informed, adding details are being worked out regarding the period of the training.

"A physical trainer will be there. But as Kapil is known for his superb fitness and never got injured during his long playing career, he can give the fast bowlers some tips on remaining injury-free," he said.

Kapil Dev will also guide those fast bowlers who have the flair for batting.

Dalmiya also said the BCCI has plans to set up a separate spinners' wing.

Mail Cricket Editor