Have added 10kmph to my pace: Siddarth Kaul

DHARAMSALA: Punjab pacer Siddarth Kaul's consistent performances over the past year earned him a maiden national call-up to the Indian team. If given an opportunity to be a part of the playing XI, Kaul, who was a part of the World Cup-winning 2008 Indian under-19 team led by Virat Kohli, will look to impress the team management during the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, which begins on Sunday at the

HPCA Stadium

here.

TOI caught up with the nippy speedster.

Excerpts....
You have managed to increase your pace considerably in the last two-three years...
All thanks to

Sagar Diwan

, my personal trainer who is now also the trainer of the Punjab Ranji team. I have been training under him since for the last two-and-a-half years. I underwent a strength conditioning programme. That included a certain diet, then working out on the bowling muscles at the gym, and above all a disciplined lifestyle. Earlier, I used to bowl-in the mid and late 120s and now after following the regimen I am able to bowl in the late 130s. That is a jump of more than 10 kilometres per hour. I must also thank the coaches and trainers at the

National Cricket Academy

and India 'A' team. They also worked on some minute details related to my action and that helped in increasing my pace too.

What kind of impact did Ashish Nehra, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mustafizur Rahman have on you while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad?
They are all very skillful.

Ashu bhaiya

(Ashish Nehra) and Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) told me how to handle different situations during a game. Both are champion death overs bowlers and they passed on some of the tricks they knew. Skipper David Warner was also very supportive and trusted my abilities. In the practice matches leading up to the IPL, I performed well; then, he was also there with me at

Delhi Daredevils

and he knew what I could do. It is very important for a bowler to have the captain's faith.

The Indian team now has a very good pool of fast bowlers. With you and Mohammad Siraj, the pool has got even better...
Due credit must be given to Virat (Kohli), who has understood that there should be a pool of fast bowlers. If you have a pool then the number of playing years for every bowler also increases. A bowler can be given due rest when required. Now as we are going to play so many matches away from subcontinental conditions, a pool of fast bowlers gives the captain options. Every bowler also remains fresh and ready to go.