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Xtra Time Web Desk: The first phase of Vision 2028, which got underway on June 30 with the Under-16 and Under-19 boys attending the camps, concluded at the Eden Gardens on Sunday with the youngsters gaining huge amount of experience from skilled coaches. 

While Bengal's Manoj Tiwary was the batting coach, the medium pace dept was guided by former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad, and spin bowling was taken care of by Narendra Hirwani. 

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After a week-long session with the youngsters, the coaching trio of Tiwary, Prasad and Hirwani were impressed with the talent pool in Bengal. 

“We are mainly focusing on the basics at the U-16 level, with the help of video analysts. At both U-16 and U-19 level, we have mainly trained youngsters technically so that the foundation is strong and they shape up well for the future. I have looked upon the basics in the batting department, and the boys have responded well and have realized that these will help them in the long run,” Bengal legend Manoj Tiwary said. 

“We have also given the boys homework to work on their practice and drills. I have also spoken to the parents of youngsters and also their coaches. It’s about sending the parents a clear message to not put extra burden on their kids and keep backing them. Their coaches have also been guided. I hope this camp will surely help them in the coming days,” Tiwary added. 

Prasad, who was overwhelmed with fast bowling talent in Bengal, wants the young pacers to work more on their skills and strength.
 
“The fast bowlers are extremely talented, but they need to improve and work on their skills and strength. Besides having the talent, they obviously need to put in the extra effort as a fast bowler. Also, as a youngster, you need to be open to gathering any information and improve your own self. I have already seen a lot of improvement in them, " Venkatesh Prasad said.

“The players are eager to learn, which has impressed me, and the conversations with them have been nice. I hope I can make a difference in their lives, work ethic, and bowling. As it is an off-season right now, they need to work on their skills and improve. 

The 54-year-old former fast bowler further added, “The players are open to all the advice the coaches are passing onto them. I hope there will be a lot of change in their attitude and they will bring better results and be more effective when the season starts.”

Former leg-spinner Hirwani wants the boys to have a proper transition from U-16 to the U-19 level in terms of technical and tactical aspects of the game. 

“I see huge talent in the young players. We are here to guide them and show them the right way ahead. But it is up to them to grab the advice and perform on the field. These players are already talented, and now they will get even better with time. It is about polishing their talent in the right manner," Narendra Hirwani said.

“At the U-16 level, it is about building them well technically, which will help them in days to come. At the U-19 level, they are already technically correct, but we need to keep an eye on them and give them the proper shape. 

“It is more about the tactical aspect than technical as I coach junior to senior level. We as coaches are helping them get better in their skills, mental aspects, and how to handle pressure situations and recover from a setback and win again,” Hirwani added. 

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The first phase of the camp was divided into two sessions every day. The first half was attended by the U-16 boys and the second by the U-19 boys. The three coaches dealt with the talents individually. They talked to the players individually and watched their practice with hawk eyes.