KOCHI (TIP): Tinu Yohannan, the former India international turned bowling coach of Kerala’s Ranji Trophy team, feels that the current crop of Indian fast bowlers face an increased risk of burn-out owing to the amount of cricket being played, and that they need more time to recover in order to perform well.

“Sincerely, there is too much of cricket being played now, and the load on the fast bowlers is a bit high. Recovery is a big factor for any athlete and for a fast bowler it is very important and we need to give time for recovery,” said Yohannan on the sidelines of the first ODI between India and West Indies.

The 35-year-old, who represented India in three Tests and three ODIs during the 2001-02 season, felt that the amount of travel involved was also hampering the players’ recovery time and stressed on the need to provide fast bowlers enough time should between tours.

“More travel, more practice keeps them tired and I think that is why we need to take care of our fast bowlers really well and give them enough time to recover from one tour before playing the other,” said Yohannan. “That is what I like to see. They should use the recovery period to train hard and get back into top fitness and come back and perform well. I think that is the key.”

Yohannan, who took 114 first-class wickets for Kerala, is now focused on getting the state team ready for the upcoming domestic season and said he was exited about with the young fast bowlers. “It is a very good to get the opportunity and work with the boys. I have seen a lot of promise and watching them from the outside for last four five years, the way the bunch has been playing, especially the fast bowling department, am excited, seeing the talent available to work with,” he said.