India had a successful Test series against Australia. A lot of it was credited to the Indian bowlers for sticking to the plan and being disciplined consistently. India restricted the Aussies for less than 200 three times in a row. But now, as February approaches, the team India coaching staff is making strategies and plans to stop the English batting attack, especially Joe Root. Bharat Arun while talking about Joe Root said: “We are going to work on him,” in an interview to a leading newspaper.
He said that: “Thankfully, barring Shami and Jadeja, the rest of the attack will be available in full force. It’ll be a good contest, and since we’re playing at home, our boys will be in a far more comfortable space - after having gone through what they did in Australia.” Bharat Arun looks confident facing England at home even though they were the last team to beat India in 2012-13. India’s bowling attack looks sharp and disciplined with young Siraj, Thakur, Saini and Natrajan joining the ranks.
‘Take the off-side out of Australia’
India picked up 72 wickets in the four Test matches against Australia. A lot of credit must be given to the joint plans of Ravi Shastri and Bharat Arun. Arun decided to virtually end Smith’s off-side play. He studied Smith’s wagon wheel and statistics and found out that he scores 70% of his runs on the off-side. Thus, the Indian bowlers bowled a lot straighter and attacked the stumps. “The idea was to dry-up the scoring as much as possible. And it would have to begin with the taming of Steve Smith. He was, after all, their main man - the best batsman in the world,” recalled the bowling coach.
Looking forward
Things won’t be as easy facing England, though. The English team has an experience of playing in the subcontinent in the IPL. In the recently concluded series against Sri Lanka, Joe Root was virtually like a lone-warrior in the team who scored 55% of England’s runs in one inning of the second Test. But, number one all-rounder Ben Stokes is back in the side who will strengthen the batting order of the English side.
The English side looks confident and ready to win against the hosts India after a successful 2-0 whitewash against Sri Lanka.