Former national bowling coach Bharat Arun believes that Jasprit Bumrah’s ability to play continually without rest and Arshdeep Singh’s ability to swiftly restore “match rhythm” will define India’s Asia Cup campaign.
Despite bowling a lot in England, Arshdeep still lacks enough competitive overs, according to Arun. However, he did play for North Zone in a Duleep Trophy match. India’s Asia Cup campaign kicks off against the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.
“Arshdeep, we all know what he is capable of doing. He must have bowled a lot in England, but he is definitely short of match practice. The rhythm really comes from playing matches no matter how much you bowl in the net and practice sessions,” Arun told PTI.
“I think it is important to bowl in matches. It’s a big challenge for Arshdeep. How quickly he gets back his match rhythm would be very, very important. It can be in a jiffy or it can take him a couple of matches to get into rhythm,” added the coach, who from 2014 to 2021 served as India’s bowling coach for two fairly successful stints.
Arun was certain that Bumrah shouldn’t be bothered by six Twenty20 matches spread over three weeks.
“I would love to see Jasprit play. But I think it is his call. I think he should be able to play all the matches. But the real call must be taken by Jasprit. I don’t think he would need rest looking at the format of this tournament.
“So, if he is bowling, it is also a question of continuing the good rhythm that he gets throughout the tournament, which would augur very well for him,” Arun said.
While praising Harshit Rana’s potential, Arun, who has worked closely with the bowler at the Kolkata Knight Riders, emphasized the importance of consistency.
“Harshit has been very impressive in T20 cricket. He is a very talented bowler in the sense that he can really bowl well-disguised slower balls. He has got a pretty good yorker and he can move the new ball around.
“The challenge for him would be to stay very consistent and to get his execution right. His capabilities and his talent is exceptional,” he noted.
Despite not being able to make the starting lineup during the Test series in England, Arun was confident that Kuldeep Yadav will have an impact in the Asia Cup.
“Kuldeep Yadav has grown immensely in stature as a bowler. He is bowling beautifully. And it was unfortunate that he couldn’t play in England.
“But I am sure he must have had a lot of overs under his belt. And he is experienced enough. He has got pretty good experience in the T20 format,” Arun said.
Arun believed that Kuldeep’s recent Duleep Trophy stint must have also helped him regain his rhythm.
“…these 35 overs in the Duleep Trophy must have been great for him to get back his rhythm. But I wouldn’t read too much into performance (no wickets). As a coach, I would only like to look at Kuldeep’s rhythm.
“I think 35 overs of match bowling is pretty good for him to get back his rhythm. And I am sure the conditions in Dubai would be conducive for Kuldeep. The grounds are big. The wickets also could be favourable. So, I see Kuldeep doing very well in the Asia Cup,” he added.
It would be difficult to omit any of India’s three specialist spinners, Kuldeep, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy, according to Arun.
“Well, Varun has been an exceptional T20 bowler. He is kind of a match-winner. And so is Kuldeep Yadav. And Axar Patel brings in a lot with the bat.
“So, I think Axar would be used more as an all-rounder. And if the wickets are a little conducive, it will be a great idea to play all three spinners. Because each one has got a different variety.
“They have experience. And they bring a lot to the table…But obviously, the condition of the pitch would matter a lot. Then if it does, then it will be a very, very difficult choice to pick just two of them. Very tempting to play all three,” he said.
Arun sounded upbeat about skipper Suryakumar Yadav and deputy Shubman Gill.
“I think it is very important for a captain to understand what style of captaincy he brings along and what kind of energy he brings into the team. And how he can be more of a leader who commands a lot of respect from his teammates.
“I think Suryakumar, I have seen him as a player, but I have not seen him as a captain. But I do feel that he has got enough experience. He is a thinking cricketer and he can be a good, good captain.
“And as far as this relationship with Shubman Gill is concerned, I am sure they have played together. Shubman knows his responsibilities. He is a youngster who has got a great future ahead of him. And I only think that they would be helping each other along the way,” Arun concluded.
