The sharpest minds will take six weeks to get into Test match mode: Coach R Sridhar

R Sridhar, fielding coach of the Indian team states that a four-phased training module is being developed for the central contracted players. This training module can help cricketers to prepare themselves in terms of match fitness once the camp kickstarts.

In an exclusive interview with PTI, the Mysuru-born cricketer who has been with the Indian team since 2014, spoke about how the marquee players are geared up for the resumption of international cricket, in the midst of these challenging times. 

"I think if you have a camp for 4-6 weeks, we can bring them to peak match readiness...fast bowlers need around 6 weeks, batsmen might take a bit less time," Sridhar said.

"Once we get a date (on the start of national camp) from the BCCI and approved by the government of India, we can start working backwards (starting from scratch). The challenge is to proceed in the right phases as players can get excited when they play after 14 or 15 weeks. It's pertinent that we move in the right manner forward. Don't want to look too much ahead," he explained.

Coach Sridhar has been consistently bringing up an important aspect i.e, the essential need for managing workload because putting immense pressure on oneself to work harder won't give any positive results.

"Initially, we have to give them a progressive workload. You can't have a sudden spike in workload which could lead to injuries," said the former left-arm spinner.

Sridhar, explained about the four phase training which they have been developing for the players to follow: "First phase, it will be 'low volume-low intensity', followed by 'moderate volume-low intensity', 'high volume-moderate intensity' and then starts 'high volume-high intensity’ training. This is how we will go," he said.

The coach further explained how the above phases of training would benefit the players.

"Maybe the fast bowlers will bowl two overs from half or quarter run-up. The deliveries will be bowled at 20 or 30 percent intensity. For a fielder, it will be at the maximum, six throws over 10 metres or 6 throws over 20 metres at 40 to 50 per cent intensity.

"For a batsman, it will start with five to six minutes of batting against moderate pace bowling," he explained.

"For catchers, it will start with semi-soft balls, intensity will be slow and volumes will be less. Then we can slowly pick it up as we cross one phase after another," he said.

The players will move into the match-intensity training after three weeks of training according to the module. Gradually the players will reach the zone where they will be ready for the match: "We can't do the same training every day as we start with low volume-low intensity training. Once we get to the fourth week when high volume-high intensity training starts, the hands will get used to hard balls coming at 140km an hour, 130km an hour, that's when match-training will start."

'It will vary from player to player' says Coach Sridhar

While getting into peak match readiness physically and mentally, it will vary from player to player but the aim for the coaches will be to have everyone on the same page when the camp ends.

"Definitely, there would be different intensity level, (it will vary) from player to player. That's what the sport is all about. Each player has to be different. We understand that. Each one will take slightly different time to get into the peak readiness. Someone will do it 4 weeks and someone will take 3 to 4 days more or there may be someone who may take 3-4 sessions more. We respect that. As coaches, our job is to get everybody on the same page at the end of the camp." 

Every player who has been given a BCCI's central contract is following a fitness programme designed by the Strength and Conditioning Coach, Nick Webb and each of them are being monitored by the NCA team.

"In a phased manner, we will incorporate a lot of drills, external props would be used to increase their reflexes, reaction drills, deviation methods, all those things, I have a few things and once the camp starts, it will be there for everyone to see," he said.

Ramakrishna Sridhar concluded by saying: "We will be more realistic as to what elite level cricketers need, we will make innovations that are pertinent to our plans."

[With PTI inputs]