Bharat Arun sounds alarm over India's pace-bowling attack ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Former Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun sounded the alarm bell for the Indian cricket team over their upcoming crucial tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 later this year.

He expressed his concerns over India’s bowling attack for the Australia tour. Arun emphasizes the need for Team India to identify and develop backup fast bowlers before the much-anticipated tour of Australia in November.

He suggested that India should closely monitor players over the next few months, leveraging both domestic and IPL performances to find suitable backup bowlers and fourth-pace bowling options for the Australia tour.

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 before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, 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.

The former Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun feels 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 whom they can trust in the dangerous Australian conditions.

However, the core of India's fast bowling attack is strong and dangerous, featuring Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami, but they can struggle to find a reliable fourth fast bowler if injuries strike, as Arun recalled their 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 out the fourth pace bowling option

Well, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav are no longer in the mix, and while bowlers 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 last historic Test series win in Australia with his all-round skills, is also out of contention at the moment. With Bumrah taking rest, Siraj having pulled out of the initial Duleep Trophy matches due to illness, and Shami still nursing an ankle injury, India faces a precarious situation.

If any of the key fast bowlers are unavailable, the Test squad may be left scrambling for replacements, and that’s why Bharat Arun wants the team management to start identifying and preparing bowlers for the Australia tour.

Bharat Arun reveals how Siraj and Shami become dangerous pacers

Bharat Arun was quoted as saying by The Indian Express: “It's a question of identifying the right ones and giving them opportunities to be ready for the Australian trip. There are lots of bowlers who hit 140-150 kph in the IPL. So, it is about nurturing and giving them the right exposure. There must be a first time. Red ball cricket is something these bowlers must get used to. We have time, but we need to prepare by giving them enough overs under their belt.”

However, Bharat Arun did not specify any particular bowlers, but Umran Malik and Mayank Yadav frequently bowl at around 150 kph. Additionally, Harshit Rana is also able to consistently deliver in the mid-140s.

The former bowling coach feels these bowlers must roll their hands in first-class cricket. Arun also called Siraj one of the most dangerous bowlers in the world on the reversing conditions.

Bharat Arun signed off by saying, “Bowling in first-class cricket, you bowl on unresponsive pitches. You have to come out with some guile, or you would need to learn how to reverse the ball because of the conditions that exist in our country. I think it helped Siraj and Shami a great deal. That's why when the conditions are right and the ball is reversing, Siraj is probably one of the most dangerous bowlers in world cricket.”