Former Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun has sounded the alarming bell for the Indian cricket team about their upcoming crucial tour of Australia for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year.
Arun expressed his concern over India’s bowling attack ahead of the tour of Australia. Arun emphasises the need for the Indian team to identify and develop backup fast bowlers ahead of the much-awaited tour of Australia in November.
He suggested that India should closely monitor players over the next few months, taking into account domestic and IPL performances to find suitable reserve players and fourth-pace bowling options for the tour of Australia.
Bharat Arun warns of bowling shortage for India’s Test tour of Australia
With a two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting on September 19 and a few T20Is ahead of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, there is a crucial window to assess and prepare additional pace options to ensure a strong bowling attack for the five-match Test series in Australia.
Former Indian bowling coach believes Rohit Sharma and his team should be worried about their pace attack as they have only three proven options in Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami who they can rely on in the dangerous Australian conditions.
However, the core of India’s fast bowling attack is strong and dangerous, with Bumrah, Siraj and Shami, but they may struggle to find a reliable fourth fast bowler if injuries occur, as Arun recalled his last tour to Australia three years ago to warn the team.
During that series, the Indian team faced a series of injuries, with key players like Shami, Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, Hanuma Vihari and Umesh Yadav sidelined. This situation forced India to rely on less experienced bowlers like Navdeep Saini and T. Natarajan.
India needs to find a fourth pace bowling option
Well, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav are no longer in the mix, and while players like Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep have made their Test debuts, their effectiveness on Australian pitches remains uncertain.
Shardul Thakur, who was instrumental in India’s historic last Test series win in Australia with his all-round skills, is also out of contention at the moment. With Bumrah rested, Siraj having pulled out of the initial Duleep Trophy matches due to illness and Shami still recovering from an ankle injury, India are faced with a precarious situation.
If any of the key fast bowlers are not available, the Test team may have to look for replacements, and that is why Arun wants the team management to start identifying and preparing the bowlers for the tour of Australia.
Arun reveals how Siraj and Shami become dangerous pacers
Bharat Arun told The Indian Express: “It is about identifying the right players and giving them opportunities so that they are ready for the trip to Australia. There are many players who touch 140-150 kmph in the IPL. So, it is about nurturing them and giving them proper exposure. There has to be a first time. Red-ball cricket is something these players need to get used to. We have time, but we have to prepare them by giving them enough overs under their belt.”
However, Arun did not specify any particular bowler, but Umran Malik and Mayank Yadav usually bowl at around 150 kmph. Moreover, Harshit Rana is also capable of consistently bowling at around 140 kmph.
The former bowling coach believes that such players should play with their hands in first-class cricket. Arun also termed Siraj as one of the most dangerous players in the world in reversal conditions.
He signed off by saying, “In first-class cricket, you play on pitches that don’t respond. You have to come out with some cleverness, or you would have to learn to turn the ball because of the conditions in our country. I think it helped Siraj and Shami a lot. So when the conditions are right and the ball turns, Siraj is probably one of the most dangerous bowlers in world cricket.”