A swinging time

India came back swinging in this series 8212; literally so. They kept the new ball up and close to the batsman...

India came back swinging in this series 8212; literally so. They kept the new ball up and close to the batsman, shaping in and out on a wicket that had severe temptations to bend the back and see the rise from the corner of the eyes.

The Indians don8217;t match up to the legendary Caribbean pacers who notched up the last win here at the WACA ground. And they have left the big names 8212; Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth, Munaf Patel and Ajit Agarkar 8211; back home because of injuries. But now, they can applaud the juniors.

This Indian seam attack of RP Singh, Irfan Pathan and Ishant Sharma proved that they are no longer the weak links. RP is establishing himself, Pathan is on the verge of forging his reentry into Test cricket fold while Ishant is the newcomer.

Terry Alderman, one of Australia8217;s greatest swing bowlers, saw them here and said their success is due to 8220;the correct technique of the Indians in holding the ball, nothing else8221;.

Venkatesh Prasad, India8217;s bowling coach believes it8217;s the natural grip and working on little body positioning that has given the desired results. So we have three different heights and speeds of bowlers running in with three different grips while holding the ball and getting the same results.

So Australia were beaten by the swing 8211; like Simon Jones, Matthew Hoggard and Andrew Flintoff. This Indian team did everything similar with the kookaburra like the English, including the pink jellies and exploiting the loopholes in the laws of cricket books.

RP and Pathan remembered just four words thrust upon their minds by Prasad 8212;- aage dalna hai, bus. RP admitted: 8220;We don8217;t have the kind of pace like the Australians. So swing was our best bet.8221;

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Prasad has been a great force behind this inexperienced bunch. 8220;Why should I take any credit for the performance? It8217;s the boys who have done the job,8221; he said humbly.

But Pathan is the first one to acknowledge his contribution. 8220;Venky as he is fondly called is always talking to us during practice or the match. Since he was a pretty good bowler, he understands you. If he sees someone just sitting there he will ask questions and offer help. That8217;s very important as a coach.8221;

In the lead-up this Test match, it8217;s just been Prasad, Pathan and the four orange cones. The coach made his bowler get the exact right areas that they so diligently changed from batsman to batsman. RP and Ishant went through such paces too. 8220;Venky is like a coach, mentor and like a friend too,8221; said Ishant.