'What a bowler thinks and what he actually does are different things' - Bharat Arun

We speak to the former India allrounder and, until recently, the national team's bowling coach - Bharat Arun.

Arun gives us a lesson in the craft of bowling, guiding us through what a coach looks for and how he suggests minor adjustments. He assesses Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, R Ashwin, and Axar Patel and explains their strengths and evolution.

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Talking Points:

• Arun's introduction to the game and the allure of quick bowling


• The myths surrounding fast bowling and training in the 1980s


• The reason many Indian bowlers weren't able to build on their early successes


• The early Bumrah - and what Arun thought of his action and technique


• R Ashwin's willingness to move out of his comfort zone


• The changes a bowler can look to make - in the run-up and load-up


• Mohammad Siraj's control in spite of his relentless aggression


• Managing a bowler's workload - and finding the optimal number of overs to train


• Bhuvaneshwar Kumar working on his fitness and adding pace to his swing


• Assessing India's losses in South Africa in 2018 and New Zealand in 2020


• India's magnificent tour to West Indies in 2019 - when Sir Viv was wowed


• The Lord's Test of 2021 - when England were undone in less than 52 overs


• Axar's unique angle of delivery - and his ability to bowl straight on a turner

Participants:

Bharat Arun 

Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee)

Related:

'I cannot tell a bowler what to do or not do. I need to help them understand their own rhythm' - Bharat Arun interview - Karthik Krishnaswamy - The Cricket Monthly

Bharat Arun on India's pace revolution, the next Test captain, and the importance of Ashwin - Ayan Acharya - Sportstar

The paaji effect - R Ashwin interviews Bharat Arun - YouTube

Bharat Arun's report card on Shami, Bumrah, Ashwin, Bhuvi, Jadeja - Sriram Veera - Indian Express

Chennai Super King - R Ashwin profile - Karthik Krishnaswamy - The Cricket Monthly

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