Clobbered all over the park in his opening spellsduring the recent one-day series against Pakistan, Lakshmipathy Balaji is nowdetermined to plug the loopholes so as to concede less runs in the first 15overs which is the "key to a positive result of the match".
The Tamil Nadu seamer is utilising the welcomethree-month break from international cricket to hone his skills in the shorterversion of the game and make himself an all-round bowler.
"I want to show consistency and take more wicketsfor India. We struggled in the one-day games against Pakistan. I want to mastermy skills in the first 15 overs and stop conceding runs," the 23-year-oldsaid.
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The right-arm seamer is wiser by the experience, and afast learner as well.
His impressive performance in the Tests against thearch-rivals, on return from an eight-month injury lay-off, was followed by somerough sailing in the one-day series when he was at the receiving end of ShahidAfridi.
Balaji went for 51 runs in six overs at Kanpur whereAfridi struck the world's second fastest ODI century of 102 in 42 balls.
"The first 15 overs are the key to a positiveresult in a match. So I am prepared to take this challenge and I want toimplement my plans in the coming series," he said.
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His predicament is interesting because he came on the scene, in 2002, with theimage of an one-day specialist. Then Australia 2004 happened, and since the tourof Pakistan, his big toothy smile has become a permanent feature of the Indianteam. In contrast, in the last three one-day tournaments excluding thetri-series in Holland -- the Asia Cup, the NatWest Challenge in England, and theseries against Pakistan -- he has averaged above 57.00 with eight wickets in 10matches.
In his zeal to improve, the youngster tried too manythings and lost his action. The worst nightmares came in September last when he returned home from England before the prestigious Champions Trophy withan abdominal injury.
Balaji's fightback from the career-threatening injuryis a story in itself. He is thankful to the MRF Pace Foundation for the supportand guidance.
"It's the only such international foundation inthe country and (Dennis) Lillee advised me as to how I should attack the crease,jump out and to bowl line and length," Balaji said.
"That really helped me sort out deficiencies.Importantly, he gave me few tips on improving my skills to a great extent.
"It is always necessary to seek advice from alegend like Lillee."
PTI
