'I would give myself two to three out of five': Laxmi Shukla

Robin Singh is the best all rounder in India. On a scale of five, he will max the total number. How much would you give yourself ? This was the question put forward by the former Australian wicket keeper to Lakshmi Ratan Shukla at the BCCI run cricket academy in Bangalore. When Shukla replied, "I would give myself two to three out of five," Marsh rebuked him for the lack of confidence. "You should be supremely confident of your abilities," said Marsh. "Otherwise it is difficult to make a mark in international cricket." This was the story that was recounted by the Bengal all-rounder in Calcutta today.

Shukla is back in Calcutta to carry out an operation on a corn on his left heel. However, he wants to leave immediately after the operation is over. "The coaches have asked me to recuperate at Bangalore itself. I am also eager to go back because of the prevailing atmosphere there," said Shukla. Talking about the daily training schedule, Shukla said, "We reach Chinnaswamy stadium everyday by seven in the morning. The next two and a half hours are spent on running and stretching. Then we go to the gymnasium. After lunch, the net session again starts at two in the afternoon. Till six we bat, bowl and field. Seven to eight in the evening is allotted to swimming pool." Shukla also stated that his main aim at the moment was to find a place in the squad that would be sent to Australia to undergo specialized training.

The cricketer from the National Academy also stated that they would be participating in tournaments like the Buchibabu Trophy at Chennai and the Moin-ud Dowlah Gold Cup tournament at Hyderabad. "However, the best part of our training so far has been the meditation classes," said Shukla. "The results have been so good that most of the cricketers are now meditating daily. It has helped us a great deal in increasing our mental strength," added Shukla.