The Offside

On the 23rd of December 2001, the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Jagmohan Dalmiya will decide whether to renew the contract of Andrew Leipus or not. The physio of the Indian team has come under criticism from many quarters but has gone about his work in the most professional manner. In the past, various people have occupied the position Leipus currently holds, without any apparent qualification.

One needs only to be at a training session of the Indian team to see the value Leipus adds. Instead of the mundane drills that players monotonously carry through, Leipus has devised scientific methods suited specifically to the bodies of India's top cricketers. The physio has charted out specific plans for each member of the squad, for them to follow during matches, during their off season and in between. The fact that various members of the squad ignore these schedules is hardly Leipus' fault.

The fact that Leipus has managed to successfully rehabilitate at least three top Indian cricketers is something people ignore. Javagal Srinath, Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble have, at various times, suffered serious injuries that threatened to lay them off for long periods of times. All three have spoken of Leipus' sterling contribution in their rehabilitation.

Recently, one of India's fittest cricketers, Robin Singh, told a newspaper, "Despite my age I was able to keep fit thanks to Leipus' training programs. He was always helpful and did a great deal for me." The same report quoted another person who has had lengthy dealings with Leipus ­ former board secretary Jaywant Lele. He said, "Leipus is a true professional." Little more needs to be said.

If Indian cricketers are injured at regular intervals, they have no one to blame but themselves. After all, as the saying goes, "You can only take the horse to the water. You can't make it drink."

Andrew Leipus' contract must certainly be extended.

The Onside

When there is a problem, one has to go to the root of it, not just address the symptoms. If one player is injured, one can treat him and get on with the game. If every series sees one and sometimes two players dropping out, there surely is something wrong. The last three series India have played has seen Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Ajit Agarkar, Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan, Sadagoppan Ramesh among others, on the injured list. If Andrew Leipus is the physio of the Indian team, surely it is his responsibility to make sure players are match fit.

A lack of proper physical conditioning, and nothing else, can be blamed for the recurring injuries to cricketers. With the Indian team playing almost non-stop, the stress the bodies of cricketers undergoes is immense. Given this, Leipus had to ensure that each and every player was constantly working on his fitness and at the top of his strength and stamina. How many times do we see Indian cricketers spending hours in the nets and yet not giving physical fitness the time and energy it deserves?

And let's not forget the controversy that rocked Indian cricket not long ago. A prominent weekly magazine quoted Anshuman Gaekwad, former Indian cricketer and coach, as saying that several Indian cricketers took performance enhancing drugs. The story went on to add that Leipus was the one suggesting the various 'drugs' to cricketers. As it happened, none of those charges were proven. Let's assume, in fairness to Leipus, that these charges are indeed untrue. Even in that case, how could a man possibly focus on his job when his very integrity is being questioned? With this kind of distraction, there is no way Leipus could carry out his duties as though nothing happened.

Let's face it, Leipus is no special physio. He did his best and unfortunately for him, that was not nearly good enough. He should be allowed to leave gracefully when his contract expires so that the BCCI can look for a replacement in earnest.

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