Chennai, August 19: ``If I watch him in action for some days, I think I will be able to bowl better,'' the world's second highest wicket-taker Kapil Dev once said, referring to former New Zealand all-rounder Sir Richard Hadlee.The one-time highest wicket-taker has still kept the stumps, that he shattered to dismiss Anshuman Gaekwad at Chepauk in 1976, as a souvenir.Excerpts:Q: What is the purpose of your team's visit to Chennai?A: TA Sekhar and Rod Marsh informed us about the ongoing Buchi Babu tournament featuring some of the prominent teams in India and invited us to participate. The purpose is to get exposure. The heat here is not familiar to us. So the boys should play under the prevalent climatic conditions here. We are preparing youngsters for the 2003 World Cup.Q: How about playing in other countries?A: Our team played in Australia, England, Sri Lanka (U-19 World Cup) and West Indies. We would like to play more in Australia and West Indies. In particular, beating Aussies is the benchmark of our boys' performance because Australian cricket has advanced in all aspects of the game. Our boys have a lot to learn from them.Q: There is a change in the approach of batsmen towards pace bowling. In the past it was intimidating. Do you think so?A: Yes, it is largely due to the limited overs cricket. In One-Dayers, bowlers are restricted to mere line and length and cannot afford to try other crucial weapons like bouncers.Q: How did you feel when you played in India in 1976 and '89 when you got 13 and 18 wickets respectively?A: More than Indian players, I found the weather hostile. I developed some sickness. But one has to thrive. I did the same and could do some good to my team. I'm happy about it.Q: How did you predict Sri Lanka's victory in the '96 World Cup.A: Going by the form, especially of Sanath Jayasuryia, Arjuna Ranatunga and the tough guy Aravinda de Silva, I thought they could win.Q: Who is the best batsman in your book?A: Viv Richards. He sent even my best deliveries to the fence. And in Asia, Pakistan's Javed Miandad, who was a prolific run-getter.Q: You have caused damage to most of the batsmen. But whom do you admire the most?A: Imran Khan was a great all-rounder.Q: What is the secret behind your phenomenal success?A: Primarily the toil which I had put in. And I could find some lapses in the batsmen and tried to exploit them to reap wickets.Q: Your advice to youngsters who would like to take up fast bowling?A: Keep running in your pursuit. One should also use his brain to analyse what are the ways to get a batsman out in a given situation instead of wasting energy.
