Binny sees hope for youngsters

New Delhi, July 16: While match-fixing allegations and repeated failures during this year's tours to Australia and Sharjah have put the se...

New Delhi, July 16: While match-fixing allegations and repeated failures during this year8217;s tours to Australia and Sharjah have put the senior Indian cricketers in an uncomfortable position in the eyes of their followers, the Nation8217;s juniors have brought glory by winning the recent Asia Under-15 tournament in Kuala Lumpur where they defeated Pakistan in the final.

Former India all-rounder and presently the coach of the National junior squad, Roger Binny, is a happy man these days. And he has reasons enough, having motivated India8217;s Under-19 World Cup in Colombo and Under-15 teams to title wins. The soft-spoken Binny sees the double-triumph as 8220;the beginning of a new era8221; in Indian cricket.

8220;These have been important victories for the Indian junior teams. Unlike our times, when there was not much exposure at schools level, these boys are getting opportunities to start their cricket early. They get experience about physical fitness and their own playing level when they play against some of the best from other countries,8221; he told the Indian Express here on Sunday, while expressing satisfaction over the current Under-15 team8217;s performance.

8220;It is a learning process and the boys have the desire to improve and perform better. I see a good future for them,8221; he prophesied.

Binny made special mention of Palash Jyoti Das of Assam who made two hundreds, leg-spinner R Banik Tripura and left-arm medium pacer Ifran Pathan Baroda, both of whom claimed hat-tricks against Hong Kong and Thailand, respectively, as future hopes.

He, however, said that Indian boys were far behind their counterparts from some of the other Nations that participated in Malaysia as far as fitness was concerned. 8220;Our boys hardly give training importance at school level. I do admit that our boys fitness level was very poor. I don8217;t blame them. They don8217;t have proper trainers in schools. But now that the Board has decided to give regular exposure to the juniors, I am sure they will realise the importance of physical fitness and work on it,8221; Binny said.

Binny, a member of India8217;s 1983 World Cup winning squad said that he had emphasised on strengthening the back and leg muscles during the camp at Pune prior to the team8217;s departure for Malaysia last month. 8220;The local trainer in Pune was a great help,8221; he added.

Story continues below this ad

When asked why most of the cricketers do not go beyond the junior level, Binny said, 8220;Only consistent performances will keep them going. Often, when they are not selected by their respective state teams, these youngsters lose heart and fade away and drop out,8221; he explained.

8220;The situation, however, is changing for the better now. With the opening of the National Cricket Academy, youngsters have more chance to last longer,8221; was his parting remark.