Mumbai, Mar 11: Former Test cricketer and India’s assistant coach Lalchand Rajput has been with the Indian team since the Twenty20 World Cup success followed by home series against Australia, Pakistan and then the successful and controversial tour Down Under.

Despite his successful stint with the team, his place is still unsure. He was not given a contract like bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and fielding coach Robin Singh, but was appointed after every tour.

However, Rajput is ready to work under India’ new coach Gary Kirsten. “I don’t know what is my future after the Australia series but when one door closes the other two opens up. I have been given a status of assistant coach in the team and the progress has been quite steady. But I don’t know my status but given an opportunity I am ready to work under Kirsten,” he said.

Meanwhile Rajput, who was felicitated by Ruia College, praised the team’s performance Down Under. “The three months in Australia have been very tough and hard. We had to keep the enthusiasm alive to sustain the longer period and the team was in no mood to go back losing the series badly,” he said.

“When we landed in Australia we knew that they were going to pressurise us mentally and these things were going to happen. But we preferred to focus on our game instead of losing our focus. We just motivated each other and the team was together all the time,” he added.

However, he did not delve into the Harbhajan Singh controversy. “It’s over so let’s not talk about it,” he said.

The 46-year-old was all praise of batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar after the way he batted in the Tests and ODIs.

“He is an icon. In Test it was a lesson for juniors plus the way he used to manage himself in ODI it was just the matter of time for him to come in form. It was a slap on the face for those who criticised him. His presence makes a lot of difference to the team.

Rajput was also miffed with the chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar’s statement on Yuvraj Singh. The former skipper had said that he was disappointed with Yuvraj’s performance and the southpaw himself was responsible for not cementing his place in the Test team.”

“It was not the right time for the chairman of selectors to say this when the whole country was celebrating. Every player goes through this phase I am confident that he will bounce back soon,” said Rajput.