Strength conditioning , mental training helped Kaul crack the national team code

CHANDIGARH: Punjab pacer Siddarth Kaul's consistent performances over the past year has earned him a maiden national call-up to the Indian team. Kaul, who was a part of the 2008 Indian under-19 team (led by Virat Kohli) that won the World Cup, was selected for the ODI series against Sri Lanka, which begins from December 10. TOI caught up with the nippy speedster, and Kaul in a freewheeling chat threw light on his journey from being a fringe player to the Indian team.

Excerpts from the interview

If you get a chance to play, what will be your target?

I am not thinking about what is going to happen eventually. I am going to repeat the processes that I have been following so far. Those processes helped me to get selected in the Indian team. Now, I hope I become a better bowler with my stint in the Indian team.

You have managed to increase your pace considerably in the last two-three years. How did you do that?

All thanks to Sagar Diwan, my personal trainer who is now also the trainer of Punjab Ranji team. I have been training under him since last two and a half years. I have specifically underwent strength conditioning programme. That included a certain diet, then working out on the bowling muscles at the gym, and above all a disciplined lifestyle. Earlier, I used to bowl in the mid and late 120s (kilometres per hour) and now after following the regimen I am able to bowl in the late 130s. That is a jump of more than 10 kilometres per hour.

I must also thank the coaches and trainers at the National Cricket Academy and India A. They also worked on some minute details related to my action and that also helped in increasing my pace.

What kind of impact did Ashish Nehra, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mustafizur Rahman have on you (while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad)?

They are all very skillful. Ashu bhaiya (Ashish Nehra) and Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) told me how to handle different situations during a game. Both are champion death overs bowlers and they passed on some of the tricks they knew. I gained a lot from them and then had the confidence of delivering for the team during the death overs.

Skipper David Warner was also very supportive and trusted my abilities. In the practice matches leading up to the IPL, I performed well; then, he was also there with me at Delhi Daredevils and he knew what I could do. It is very important for a bowler to have the captain's faith. One can perform much better if your captain has confidence in you.

The Indian team now has a very good pool of fast bowlers. With you and Mohammad Siraj, the pool has got even better. What do you think of the state of fast bowling in the country?

The due credit must be given to Virat (Kohli), who has understood that there should be a pool of fast bowlers. If you have a pool then the number of playing years for every bowler also increases. A bowler can be given due rest when required. Now as we are going to play so many matches away from sub-continental conditions, a pool of fast bowlers would not only give the captain options but also every bowler would remain fresh and ready to go.

Have you added any new delivery to your repertoire in recent times?

Besides the back-of-the-hand slower ball, nothing new as such. I am concentrating on sharpening the weapons that I already have. I am working on improving my skill-set. So, whether it is my outswinger or the in-ducker, I am trying to better those.

You had hired a mental trainer to better your concentration levels. Throw some light on that.

I am happy to have a guru like Amit Bhattacharjee (Siddarth's mental trainer). He has really worked hard on improving my concentration level. He helped me fight negativity and that boosted my overall performance.

What did Rahul Dravid tell you during your time with the India A side?

Playing for India A or IPL is top-level cricket and it always gives you that confidence that you belong to a certain level. Rahul sir would always tell me that self-belief is key for any player. He said that at this level, it is all about doing the small things right on a consistent basis. That's what I did when I was playing against New Zealand A or South Africa A.

Your father (Dr Tej Kaul) has played a big role in shaping your career. What was his reaction when you first met him (after being selected in the Indian team)?

He blessed me and told me to remain grounded. My father has always been my coach. Even today any technical difficulty I have with my bowling, I consult him. Also it helps that my elder brother Uday has been an established first-class cricketer and a wicketkeeper. When your brother is a wicketkeeper, you get first-hand input about how the ball is releasing out of your hand.