Indian bowling coach –Bharat Arun lavished praise on his bowlers, who have been instrumental in the team’s win since early 2017, for their superb display especially in South Africa and Sri Lanka.
India has whitewashed Sri Lanka on their home soil last year with the help of their bowlers’ sizzling show and at home as well.
However, India lost the Test series to South Africa but managed to win ODI series 5-1 and the T20I series 2-1 with the help of sensational spin bowling by Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav in the rainbow nation.
Arun told India Today, “I feel really great. At the beginning when we started off, we said to win matches outside we need to be consistent. But the journey started in Sri Lanka. The biggest challenge was in South Africa but the bowlers came to the party in South Africa.”
The bowling coach further said, “Our mission is to have a pool of bowlers who can play for India. We knew we have the talent in India but it is also about giving them the opportunity to test them.”
On being asked about R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja’s place in the limited-overs side, Arun said, “I think Ashwin and Jadeja have done exceptionally well in Test cricket. They have won many matches for India but as far as ODI is concerned we are happy we have a lot of options to choose from and it augurs well for us. The volume of cricket that India will play in next 12 months is huge. It's important that we rotate for bowlers to remain fresh. Everyone will be given a chance according to conditions.”
He also stressed on the need to rest Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the 2019 World Cup, saying “We need to use them judiciously because at present they are the best-limited overs bowlers that India have. They are great in beginning and in death overs. It's important that they play the optimum number of matches so that they remain fit for the 2019 World Cup.”
The coach also praised Dinesh Karthik, who was the hero of the Nidahas Trophy final, played 8-ball 29 not out against Bangladesh and help the side to clinch the title.
Arun signed off by saying, “Dinesh said he was dreaming for a situation like this for 10 years and it came true. Everyone believed that Dinesh Karthik can finish the game for India against Bangladesh.”
