Kaul working hard on fitness ahead of India A tour to SA

Speaking to Sportline from Bangalore,22-year-old Kaul said,“For a fast bowler,attaining top-class fitness level is a must. One cannot bowl with 100 percent intensity if he is not fit. The camp has come at a right time for me. I am working really hard on all aspects of fitness during the camp. I know the value of being fit as I had been injured several times in the past. I am bowling in rhythm,enjoying my game and aiming to do well in all the situations. This camp will help us a lot. The domestic season is yet to start,and this camp has in a way kick-started the season for us. I also attended an off-season camp at the PCA Stadium in Mohali and it also benefited me a lot.”

The two-week camp that got underway on July 8,has 20 bowlers among them,including Parveez Rasool,the Jammu & Kashmir offspinner,and Mohit Sharma,the Haryana medium pacer-both of whom are part of the Indian squad that will play against Zimbabwe in a five-match One-Day International series beginning later this month.

Also, Ishwar Pandey,Siddharth Kaul and Shahbaz Naddem,all of whom are in the India A team which will play in South Africa next month,are also in the list of 20.

Siddharth,who turned out for Delhi Daredevils in IPL, learnt a lot from the likes of Sir Vivian Richards of West Indies and South African coach Eric Simmons. It was Richards long chats and Simmons guidance that motivated Siddharth a great deal.

“I heard about Vivian Richards at home all the time. My father used to tell me and my brother (Uday Kaul) about this legendary cricketer’s feats. Sharing space with him in the DD dressing room was once-in-a-lifetime experience. When a cricketer of his stature comes up and tells you that he is impressed,that is a big compliment. Same goes for Simmons. He would read my style of bowling,make analysis and then give his inputs. His inputs have helped me improve my bowling. I would say that after the last Ranji season and the IPL stint,My confidence level has increased manifold. I have become a thinking bowler,” shared Siddharth.

The quickie has been in touch with Simmons and taking regular inputs from him. Kaul feels that before he steps onto the South Africa territory,he would be seeking Simmons’ take on the pitches and the conditions there,and also how he should adapt to them.

Siddharth’s father Dr Tej Kaul has played first-class cricket from the state of Jammu & Kashmir and he has been coaching his sons -Siddharth and Uday -since their childhood days.

Once he is back from the NCA camp,Siddharth wants to spend time in Chandigarh with his father and talk about the India A tour.

“I take one thing at a time. Right now,my priority is this camp. Once I am through with it,only then I will be thinking about the India A tour. I will be training hard for the Proteas tour,” concluded Kaul.