Former Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun reckons the bowling unit failed to support Jasprit Bumrah in the opening Test match against South Africa at Centurion. While Bumrah returned with impressive figures of 4-69, the other pacers failed to create any impact.
Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna conceded their runs at 5.30 and 4.70 respectively and thus failed to support Bumrah. Furthermore, Mohammed Siraj also leaked his runs at 3.80 and could only take two wickets.
India conceded an above-par score of 408 runs after posting a competitive 245 runs in the first innings, thus conceding a huge lead of 163 runs. Indian fast bowlers were full in length in the initial stages and failed to make the most of the favorable bowling conditions.
Speaking to RevSportz, Bharat Arun said, “There were far too many boundaries scored. Adapting your bowling to different conditions is crucial. If you are in good form, just awareness of the conditions is more than sufficient for you to adapt.”
He continued: “I think bowlers at international level should be able to adapt a lot more easily than bowlers who are just starting. With the experience that the Indian team has, I think we should have adapted. Bumrah bowled exceptionally well but the rest of them, I don’t think they supported him much the way they should have.”
He further noted: “At least don’t give away so many runs at that pace. The pace at which they get the runs becomes very important for them to set up Test matches.”
Arun reckons Indian bowlers lacked discipline in their bowling and thus they had to pay the price.
“If you ask me in one word, it is the bowling discipline that counts – understanding and more awareness of the conditions and what are the likely lengths to be bowling in these conditions is the key to any success for a bowling unit.”
The pacers could not get their line and length and didn’t bowl enough in the right areas. The second Test match between South Africa and India will be played at the Newlands, Cape Town from January 3.
