The nationwide lockdown might have hampered sportspersons’ training schedules, but Arun Lal, a veteran of many battles on and off the field, is not one to go on the backfoot.
The 64-year-old former India player had a remarkable last season as the coach of the Bengal team, guiding them all the way to the Ranji Trophy final after a gap of three decades. Though Bengal lost the closely-fought summit clash to Saurashtra, Lal was hailed by all for the way he transformed the team.
It hasn’t been even a month since the closure of the 2019-20 season, but Lal has swung into action to ensure his wards stay fit in these testing times. And that even though he has not yet decided whether he would continue as the coach of the team for another term.
“This team is like family to me. I would love to be with them. But I have some family commitments, and for that I may not be there with the squad physically. But I would always be with this unit virtually. I’m sure about that. Having said that, I would try my level best to continue as the coach of this team for the upcoming season as well,” Lal told The Telegraph on Friday.
The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has already asked Lal to stay as coach for another season. “On March 13, the final day of the Ranji Trophy, I requested him to stay. Even after that, whenever we spoke, I have requested him the same thing. I hope he will be with the team,” CAB president Avishek Dalmiya said.
While Lal is yet to take a final call about his future as the Bengal coach, he has no doubts about what is current duty is. “Fitness has always been my priority. It is important for the players to keep themselves fit. As there is a nationwide lockdown, it is difficult for players to go to the gym or the ground. So we have started online fitness training programmes for them,” he said.
“Fitness is a bigger issue for the pacers, so we started with the fast bowlers. From the next week onwards, other players would also be included in online fitness training sessions,” he added.
Bengal fitness trainer Sanjib Das has given different practice schedules for the pacers. “Most of the players are staying at home. So I first asked what types of equipment they have at home. According to that, I have given them the practice schedules and we all join via video conference to discuss them,” Das said.
Lal plans to start full-fledged training from July if the situation improves. “We started on July 1 last season, I have the same plan this time too. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, nobody can say when things would normalise. I am keeping my fingers crossed, hope we will overcome the tough time sooner,” he said.
And how is he spending his time during this lockdown period? “I usually do not get much time to spend at home. But now I am getting a lot of it and I am enjoying it to the fullest. I keep myself busy gardening and cooking… I quite like this break,” he said.
