Former Australia speedster Dennis Lillee says frontline Indian fast bowlers Zaheer Khan, L Balaji, Irfan Pathan, Ashish Nehra and Ajit Agarkar are in fine fettle and in good nick, ahead of the start of new season.
Lillee, who returned to Chennai from the Bangalore camp after interacting with India coach Greg Chappell and the players, said both he and T A Sekar analysed video footage of all the 15 bowlers and adjustments to be carried by each of them on their bowling had been given to Chappell.
"Remember they all have come out of off-season, so they are just trying to bowl a line and length. It is good I had the chance to see them just before they start a new season," he said.
The 'pace guru' felt that the players are proceeding in the right direction.
"Must say that they are doing the things they should be doing. Somewhere someone had few a things and I had corrected. On the whole, it was a good opportunity and timing.
"After all, all of them had been with me at different times earlier on. I only needed to make slight adjustments," he said after analysing the video footage sent by Chappell.
Sekhar said other schedules haven't been finalized and there would be frequent sessions to analyse the bowlers' progress.
He added that Lillee would leave for home this weekend and return before the end of August.
"I think the bowlers are happy being monitored by Lillee before the start of the new season."
On more youngsters taking to fast bowling, Lillee felt they understood the rigours of bowling better.
"Let me compare the time that I first came here in 1987. I had difficulty in getting youngsters in the 14-17 age group. This was mainly because India did not have role models. Kapil Dev was there, but he was not among the top. Kapil became a great bowler and one of the greatest ever from India, but he was not in the same league as Brett Lee or Jeff Thompson.
"The boys I see now are better prepared to bowl fast. Out of the blue they can come up one-day and bowl genuinely fast."
He also said the bowlers are good this time around.
"We have roped in much younger boys this time, well prepared by their coaches. I must say some Sikh boys and a few others are really good and look to be long-term future prospects."
On the 20-20 format and the new ICC experimental rules, he said any experiment is welcome, if such rules are used in the right way.
"As for 20-20, Australia might go in for a separate team. Each (Tests, ODIs, 20-20) is a specialised game. Soon you will find 20-20 becoming popular, as it is a more aggressive game.
"Gradually there will be different types of bowlers and batters for 20-20. These days batting has become more aggressive and even Test matches produce such scenes," he added.
Asked whether he agreed with Javagal Srinath's view that fast bowlers can win matches for India, Lillee replied, "Generally yes. If you look at the worldwide trend, it appears fast bowlers win matches in most conditions. The past history also proves that Australian and West Indian fast bowlers have won matches for their teams during visits to India."
He said sometimes in India spinners win matches, but often one does not find the same outside India because of fast and bouncy wickets.
"Therefore, to be a complete team, I always advocate that if you have good fast bowlers, you can win matches anyway."
On preparing turning wickets in India to assist spinners, Lillee said one does not have to be Albert Einstein to assess that spinners would play havoc on turning wickets. "But it might also work to the advantage of the rivals at times."
Stating that fast wickets provide the best fare for the public, Lillee said, "Wickets in Australia and the West Indies do help fast bowlers and the batsmen. On the other hand, if you have a spinning wicket, you do not get to see stroke-play. A fast wicket will be interesting for the paying public as solid stroke makers could keep fast bowlers at bay."
On rotating fast bowlers, Lillee said he had been advocating this for years, even in Australia, as fast bowlers undergo pressures and strain.
"So it makes sense that if a team has six fast bowlers, some could be rotated and a few could be rested for a game and then be brought back fresh for another game. A bunch of six good, solid fast bowlers is a must for a team's success," he added.
On the MRF Pace Foundation, in existence since 1987, playing a greater role with Greg Chappell, Lillee said, "It makes us proud and happy.
"It is also an endorsement on MRF being the only fast bowling academy in the world. We will produce the support to the Indian team through Greg from time to time."
As for the ICC granting recognition to the academy, Lillee replied: "If MRF academy is recognised by the ICC, it is well and good. But, if they do not, it does not matter. We will continue with our good work."
On training the four Pakistani bowlers, who leave India tomorrow after a 10 day stint at the foundation, he said it was the only missing link in the scheme of things as all other cricket playing nations had been sending their wards to the academy.
"Now that we had them at our foundation, the Academy has come full circle. It is the icing on the cake."
Lillee was unperturbed about Inzamam-ul Haq advising the PCB against sending the bowlers to the foundation.
"Everyone is right in his opinion. They were sent here and learnt a few things. If they gain some knowledge and perform well, it is good for cricket, their country and the bowler concerned. It is also good to have another opinion."
More from rediff