I am a mediumpacer. After completing my first spell, I often fail to strike the right line and length and prove to be expensive. Please help.

(Rishi Subba, 17, Darjeeling)

Work on your fitness. Your action is obviously getting faulty because of tiredness and loss in concentration.

I am a right-handed batsman. I am generally solid in defence, but whenever I try any big hits I get caught near the boundary. Please help.

(Nitesh Sharma, 20, Midnapore)

The big shot is not all about power. It entails timing as well. So watch the execution of your shot closely.

I am a left-handed batsman and am very weak on the leg side against mediumpacers. Please help.

(Ankan Raj, 16, Bardhaman)

Try and open up your stance a bit. Check your grip as well.

I am a right-arm mediumpacer. I often fail to hit the right line when bowling an inswinger. Please help.

(Surojit Roy, 17, Hooghly)

Don?t fall away too quickly in your action. Make sure you have a still head and watch the spot you want the ball to land.

I am a mediumpacer. Recently I?ve changed my action and my pace has decreased a lot. How can I bowl at my old pace again?

(Soumyajyoti Mukherjee, 14, Calcutta-68)

Go back to your old action. And work on your strength training as well.

I am a mediumpacer. Whenever I try to deliver a yorker, the ball falls short of the right length. Please help.

(Ramen Dey, 18, Calcutta-15)

It?s a ball that demands a lot of practice. Try and watch the centre of middle stump when you decide to bowl and see if it makes a difference.

How does one read the top-spinner coming out of the bowler?s hand?

(Tapas Pal, 16, Nagpur)

Watching the ball coming out of the bowler?s hand and its rotations will help.

I am a mediumpacer. How does one bowl the off-cutter?

(Raj Sharma, 19, Calcutta-69)

Roll your fingers across the seam in a clockwise direction if you are a right-arm bowler and the opposite if you are a left-armer.

I am a right-handed batsman. I often get bowled or am adjudged leg before when attempting the flick. Please help.

(Debajit Roy, 17, Calcutta-42)

Don?t lift your head too early and watch the ball onto the bat when you are meeting it.

How does one prepare on the night before an important match?

(Debashish Sen, 21, Calcutta-16)

Get a good night?s rest and don?t allow negative thoughts to come to your mind.