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No fitness concerns: Venkatesh Prasad

Principal Correspondent

— Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

READY TO DELIVER: Ishant Sharma has worked on his fitness for the Australia series.

Bangalore: Venkatesh Prasad stressed that the Indian bowlers have worked a lot on their fitness ahead of the Test series against Australia.

The bowling coach spoke to the media after a long day at the preparatory camp here at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

“The bowlers have worked a lot on their fitness and this whole camp was all about intensity in training and in our skill work. The bowlers are shaping well and a couple of them have come back like Ishant Sharma, who went back after the Test series in Sri Lanka. He has come back well and is working on his rhythm but as far as the pace, bounce and carry to the wicketkeeper is concerned there is no problem whatsoever from most of the bowlers be it Zaheer Khan or Munaf Patel or R.P. Singh or Ishant,” Prasad said.

Spearhead

Prasad also emphasised Zaheer Khan’s role as a spearhead. “Zaheer has played a lot in India and abroad and has got a lot of experience. He is working on his fitness quite a bit and he is a tremendous example for the other fast bowlers. He will play a very key role in the success of our team in the series.”

Asked whether the experienced Indian attack has an edge over the visitor, Prasad said: “Definitely yes, it will be an advantage and there is a lot of experience with Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer, Munaf and Ishant, who is also experienced now, in the attack.”

Prasad also had words of encouragement for leg-spinner Amit Mishra. “He is a good leg-spinner and has evolved over a period of time. Recently I had a chat with him and he sounded confident,” Prasad said.

Prasad mentioned that plans are afoot to counter the Aussie batsmen. “We have played quite a bit against them recently and we have got certain plans against each and every batsman ,” Prasad said and also added that the team think-tank has an open mind towards the pitches that they will encounter in the forthcoming series.

With a long season ahead, Prasad’s last words at the press conference were reassuring. “As of now there are no fitness concerns.”

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