A chat with Andrew Leipus

Though India has fared poorly in international cricket in recent years, one person at least believes the team will be stronger in another 12 months time. He is none other than the physio Andrew Leipus.

Before leaving for Johannseburg by the Emirates flight via Dubai for a short break on Sunday evening, Leipus, in an exclusive chat with this correspondent at Sahar International airport, stated, "our team will have a new look shortly. The performance of the team cannot improve overnight". Leipus was all praise for the new academy to commence from May 1 at Bangalore. "Raj Singh has cricket at heart. The academy, the first of its kind in India, is bound to succeed".

The BCCI has a long list of new appointees for the academy which includes additional physio and a coach to assist Roger Binny. Leipus is believed to have had a closed door meeting with former BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur, who incidentally is also the academy committee chairman and academy director Hanumant Singh (affectionately known as `Chhotu) at the CCI on Saturday.

Though Leipus is on a three-week holiday at Johannesburg, he is not likely to sit idle. He is to meet the coach and physio of South Africa's cricket academy. He has decided to jot down details and chalk out an extensive programme and come up with fresh ideas relating to the academy and training camp and fax them to coach Kapil Dev. Leipus is certain to be present at Bangalore for the inauguration of the academy. The BCCI is likely to organise the training camp at Calcutta.

The 29-year-old physio of the Indian team has no immediate plans to marry. However, he has not forgotten to carry certain shopping items for his girl friend Sue Garrett. She is working with a travel agency in Johannesburg.

Leipus gets upset when a question is asked whether he would support the Australian or the South African team for the matches against India. "I am proud to be a physio of the Indian team. How can I dream of supporting the rivals (be it Australia or South Africa for that matter)?", signed off the Australian born physio.