AUS v IND 2018-19: Pacers need to be protected like race horses, says Bharat Arun

Fast bowlers are a precious commodity -Arun.

Current Indian bowling unit is one of the best the country has seen | Getty Images

Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun claimed on Wednesday (December 12) that the fast bowlers are a precious commodity and they are like race horses, who need to be protected and handled carefully that the Team Management and Staff are doing at the moment.

Arun further went on to claim that the current Indian bowling unit is probably one of the best group of fast bowlers India has ever seen ahead of the second Test starting from December 14 in Perth.

Bharat told reporters in Perth, “I can say that not only now for what they did in Adelaide but what they've done over a period of time in South Africa, in England and now in Australia. This is probably one of the best group of fast bowlers India has ever had. Fast bowlers are a precious commodity and they need to be taken care of, like what you do with a racehorse and that's exactly what's happening.”

The coach further added that the pacers likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Ishant Sharma have been responded exceptionally well as they have found consistency.

He said, “Consistency was a bit issue (on previous tours) and that's something we've addressed with the bowlers. It's something we've really worked hard on. We insist on one-person form factor even during practice, and the bowlers have responded exceptionally well. That's showing dividends right now.”

Arun further went on to explain, “It's very simple to work. Each time they come to the net and they bowl, they need to be aware of their plans and what they need to execute. Each time it's a little different of what they need to execute. We just test as to how far they've executed each time. That feedback allows them to be more consistent. Obviously, the bowlers would love to bowl on those type of wickets. Whatever is in the offing, we are happy with.

We haven't really taken a look at the wicket. Irrespective of what the conditions (are), we said we'd come here and look at it as our home conditions whatever conditions we get. We are up for it and we are prepared for any conditions that may exist at the ground.”

It is known that the Perth track is fast and bouncy wicket, and Arun has a piece of advice for his bowlers ahead of the second Test, saying: “On overseas wickets, especially like in Perth, you can be carried away by the extra pace and bounce, but again you need to understand that on any responsive track what is really going to be successful is your consistency. And that is what we're going to work on with the bowlers.”

Meanwhile, commenting on Indian spin department, Arun said: “Spinners mature a lot with age. Maybe they're like wine. Ashwin has been really good and the last match he helped us to control - he gave us the control, bowling close to 90 overs for 147 runs and six wickets. You can't ask anything better. He allowed the fast bowlers to take turns and he could control from one end. That's the job he was interested in. I think he did that exceptionally well.

It's important that a spinner discovers the things he can do. For that to happen, a coach can give the necessary feedback because most often what the bowlers think they're doing and what they're actually doing can be two different things. If you can bridge that gap, that's when the bowlers can grow.”

There are a lot of talks that the Perth wicket will assist Australian pacers most than the Indians, and they will certainly make the most of it, but Arun is confident that Indian batters will handle them brilliantly.

Bharat signed off by saying, “We quite expect this. Each time you're on foreign soil the wickets are a lot more conducive to suit the home bowlers and our batsmen are also aware we would be faced with wickets where there would be bounce and pace. They've worked really hard at that.”

(With Press Trust of India Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 12 Dec, 2018

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