Fast bowler Ashish Nehra ruled out any major change in his bowling action as a solution to his injury problems and expressed confidence that he would be able to remain fully fit during India's busy schedule in the coming months.
"At this stage of one's career it is not possible to bring about any major change in the bowling action. A little bit of change here and there one can do. But nothing major," said Nehra in Kolkata.
Nehra refused to give much importance to former Australian quick bowler Bruce Reid's observation that he change his "risky" action which made him prone to injuries.
"Everybody has his own opinion. But each bowler has his own style," he said.
Nehra disagreed with a scribe that he had 'more than his share of injuries' contending that during the last season he had played continuously for 16 months without injury.
But after a dream run in last year's World Cup, where he picked up a rich haul of wickets, injury blues again haunted Nehra and he had to stay out of competition for several months.
In the tri-series in India late last year, Nehra was dropped after the first game, while in Australia, he was dropped after hurting his left ankle during a one-dayer.
Nehra found a place in the Indian squad for the historic tour to Pakistan in March-April this year, but split the webbing of his bowling hand in the second one-dayer and missed the remaining limited over matches and the first Test.
Though he was available for the second Test, Nehra was only considered for the final Test returning figures of 2/60 and 1/20.
Nehra said that pace bowling consultant Kapil Dev, who guided the country's leading speedsters in a five-day fitness camp in Bangalore earlier this month, also did not suggest any changes in his bowling style.
"The main thing for a bowler is to bowl at a good line and length. And Kapil said the same thing," he said.
Nehra also disapproved a suggestion that he adopt a pick and choose approach to cut down on the number of matches in order to remain fit. "I think one should play as long as one is fit."
Nehra said that he also relished his role as a senior pacer after the retirement of Javagal Srinath.
"Neither myself, nor Zaheer are under any kind of pressure on this count."
To a query whether he thought that the number of injuries suffered by Indian players had increased after the departure of Adrian Le Roux, Nehra said: "Injuries are not in the hand of trainers. Yes, Le Roux used to work hard. But his successor Gregory Allen King is also a hard-worker.
"You must give him some more time. Though individuals have their different styles, more or less the approaches of the two are similar," he added.
It was also announced that the left-arm seamer will be the new brand ambassador of Priya Biscuits, which has an annual turnover of Rs 50 crore.
Nehra said the contract was for a one year period.
