Bharat Arun is quietly efficient, gets the job done in a calm, unruffled fashion.
The Indian team bowling coach makes the boys sweat at the nets, focuses on specific areas. Importantly, he fetches the results.
Arun is confident about India’s bowling pack ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup. “We have the bowling to win the World Cup. We have the right kind of pacemen, wrist spinners, finger spinner and support bowlers,” he said to The Hindu here on Saturday.
But then, after a brilliant run in Australia and New Zealand, the Indian team stumbled to lose the last three ODIs and the series to a resurgent Australia at home.
No setbacks
Arun does not see the reverses as setbacks. “Credit to the Aussies, they played well. But we were also using the series to try out different players and combinations before the World Cup. And the games were close.”
Arun said, “We got to know about the areas we need to improve. Sometimes a defeat teaches you a lot.”
Coming to the major topic of discussion, the workload management of the Indian bowlers, particularly the pacemen, ahead of the World Cup, Arun was forthcoming with his views.
Specific programme
He said, “We will be working closely with the bowlers during the IPL. They will be given a specific programme to follow. We will be monitoring their fitness. Even if they face a minor fitness issue, the bowlers will report it to us.”
About the possibility of some India bowlers being rested by the franchises during the IPL, Arun replied, “I don’t think that will happen. That is under the purview of the franchises. But we will ensure that the bowlers are in good shape.”
Arun said, “Look, during the season, Jasprit Bumrah was given a break and he looked sharp even in the last game against Australia. Bhuvneshwar was rested and when he came back he was clocking 140 kmph which is a good sign. And Mohammed Shami, such a dangerous bowler, too was given a break.”
The Indian bowling coach pointed out, “There is a gap of more than 15 days between the IPL final and our first match in the World Cup. The boys will get some rest there too and an opportunity to become mentally refreshed.”
Formidable pace pack
Arun added, “In Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar, India has two of the best ODI bowlers in world cricket. And Shami, with his speed and movement, can win you games. India has a formidable pace pack. And it is backed by a very good spin attack.”
Asked about Hardik Pandya’s injury concerns — the all-rounder’s pace bowling lends balance to the Indian attack — Arun said, “We rested him as a precautionary measure. He doesn’t have a fracture of the back, only a back spasm. It can be monitored and set right. He should be fit.”
Good addition
Arun has also been asked by coach Ravi Shastri to work on all-rounder Vijay Shankar’s bowling. “He is bowling at around 130 kmph now. He’s a big lad and is capable of bowling at 135 kmph. I wanted him to bowl straight, try and hit the stumps all the time and he’s doing that. He is a good addition to the team.”
Arun signed off, “We are very confident. This is a very good Indian team that will be going to the World Cup.”
