Despite brushing aside the West Indies in one of the most ridiculous mismatches in recent times, India’s bowling coach Bharat Arun said that they are not being complacent ahead of the second Test match which starts in Hyderabad on Friday.
While speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Arun said that they are aware of the fact that the visitors would stage a strong comeback.
“After losing the first Test, we are aware they (the West Indies) will come hard at us. However, we have plans in places as well,” he said.
He had words of praise for the young Mumbai batsman Prithvi Shaw who stroked his way to a maiden Test century on debut in Rajkot.
“His knock was fabulous. It’s not the runs he got… his composure was very good. For someone playing his first Test match, his body language was outstanding. These are things which we look at and that probably holds good for the future,” he said.
Arun, while backing Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, said, ” “He is in pretty good shape and if you look at the overseas record, Rahane is probably one of the best, it’s just a question of going out there and performing. He has got everything in him to do well at any given point of time.”
KL Rahul who blazed his way to a defiant hundred in the last Test match in England, couldn’ manage more than a duck in Rajkot- a match where the Indian batting flourished with the likes of Kohli, Shaw and Jadeja scoring hundreds.
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Showing support for the right-handed opener, Arun said, “Ravi Shastri (head coach) and Sanjay Bangar (batting coach) had a very good chat with him and as far as I’m concerned, Rahul is a fantastic player. He has got outstanding potential and I think he is somebody whom we can persist with. He is definitely a superb batsman for the future.”
Having bowled out the opposition twice in two days is a performance that Arun would be mighty proud of. The 55-year old nonetheless stated that they are constantly looking ahead to “improve”.
Someone with the pace of Umesh Yadav doesn’t find a permanent place in side but Arun defended this move saying that it was part of a rotation system carried out to make sure that bowlers stayed fit and fresh.
“Umesh is quick but we also have a system wherein the bowlers are rotated and remain fresh. Umesh would definitely be a part of that and we are extremely confident of what he can bring to the table. It is unfortunate that Umesh didn’t get to play much in South Africa and England as others have bowled exceptionally well,” he said.
Praising the young Mohammad Siraj from Hyderabad, Arun labelled the youngster as a “quick learner” and said, “When I was with him (Siraj) during my stint in Hyderabad, he did exceptionally well. He has learnt over the years and his recent performances in India ‘A’ matches reflect how quick a learner he is.”
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