Bharat Arun cites ‘discipline’ as crucial element for India’s fightback in the Test series

India face an uphill task of avoiding a series loss to South Africa ahead of the second Test, which will be played at Newlands in Cape Town. Both the sides will be relying on the big names that will be gracing the yard while all eyes will be on the Indian bowling unit, hoping to create a significant impact on the contest.

Former Indian bowling coach, Bharat Arun, had a critical take on the fiasco that India had to suffer in the opening contest of the series, underlining what exactly went wrong for Rohit Sharma’s men, while also shedding some light on the right course of action.

Talking to RevSportz, Arun said, “If you really look at the discipline that the South Africans showed, if you look at the pitch map of Rabada in the first innings, it was impeccable. Yes, the four-to-six-metre marks are the best, because that gives you a chance for the ball to move as well, or even seam off the wicket. You’re bowling that much quicker because of the trajectory. So not only that, if you look at the line which Rabada bowled, I thought that was exceptional. And the only comparison I can say is I was pretty impressed with Bumrah’s bowling.”

He further added, “The rest of them, if you look at their lines, there was much to be desired. Far too much width and also, on certain occasions, far too short. So that doesn’t suit, you know, when you’re bowling in South Africa. Like I remember the conversation Ravi Shastri had after the Cape Town Test first innings – he said I want you guys to leave the driving license at home. Unless you have something specific, attack them all the time. So, that was the key. That’s when the entire bowling revolution started. So I think discipline is of utmost importance.”

With Shami rested, India will be pinning their hopes on the shoulders of Siraj and Bumrah, but South Africa will start as favourites ahead of the second Test, particularly considering how the first Test panned out at Centurion.