Dropping a bowler of Umesh Yadav's calibre shows our bench strength: Bharat Arun

India pacer Umesh Yadav. Pics/Getty Images, AFP

If the last seven years have been the best phase for the Indian bowling unit, it is largely due to Bharat Arun.

He can be credited for making the Indian bowling unit a formidable one and a force to reckon with in world cricket. Arun's association with Team India ended with the T20 World Cup recently. Back in Chennai while "trying to settle down at home", Arun spoke to mid-day on Monday about his stint with the Indian team.

Edited excerpts of an interview:

How did the bowling consistency come about?
What we worked on were simple things. We worked on consistency because all the bowlers were extremely talented and they had the skillset to do well. But in order to do exceptionally well, we needed to have the consistency. You cannot recreate the pressure of a match in net practice. But you can create a little bit of pressure in the nets. So, the bowlers came up with their plans and executed them in the nets. I would give them three pats [for executing their plans well]. Once they came up with their plans and then [spell out] the areas they were going to focus on, I could easily give them feedback as to how they have fared in the nets. I had to be a taskmaster in giving feedback. There were no half measures. So this kind of feedback allowed them to improve. Yes, there were debates and friendly banter, but ultimately it was about seriousness and being consistent in the nets. If you are consistent there [in the nets] and create pressure, then the match is an extension of that.

Bharat Arun. Pic/AFP

Which bowler impressed you the most?
I cannot single out any bowler because each one's contribution has been immense at different times. And how they have come about doing that is interesting. Like Mohammed Shami...he has the best seam position in the world. Every time you challenge him or foul-mouth him, you get the best out of him when he gets angry. Jasprit Bumrah is different and sharp thinker. Ishant Sharma was always economical, but we wanted him to challenge batsmen by making them play more. Umesh Yadav was outstanding with the reverse swing. While he would bowl a few beauties, he would also go for runs. So, that is one element he worked really hard on. When given the opportunity, every time he has played in India, he has done tremendously well. It is most unfortunate that we had to bench a bowler of Umesh's calibre. That also speaks volumes of our bench strength.

Ishant and Shami are in their 30s. How do you see India's future fast bowling stocks?
As long as the bowlers can keep themselves in prime condition, they can carry on for some time. The future of Indian bowling looks bright with the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna and Umran Malik. Although it is too early to say anything about Umran, he is an exciting talent. Avesh Khan is another exciting prospect. I am sure there are many more such bowlers in the country. It augurs very well for India.

How did you transform India's bowling into an out-and-out pace unit?
India always had fast bowlers. It started with Kapil Dev and then you had Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra. There was a time when we had Nehra, Zaheer, Munaf Patel, Irfan Pathan. They were all quick, but gradually their pace dropped. So, we tried to find out why that happened. We [strength and conditioning coach, physio and coaches] analysed that managing their workload was important because if you over-bowl or under-bowl is a problem. So, one has to have optimal balance. It is 50 per cent on skills and 50 per cent fitness; both should complement each other. If you overdo one thing, you are going to suffer at some stage. So, once we put the workload management in place, it helped the fast bowlers to remain fresh and hunt in a pack.

How do you see the spin department shaping up?
There has been a lot of talk about fast bowling, but the spinners have put up an exceptional show whenever they have played in India. They have won so many matches. Looking at R Ashwin, he is probably the fittest in his career now. He is bowling beautifully, coupled by his experience. Jadeja has a long way in his career and he is at his best while bowling, batting. We also know what kind of a fielder he is. Kuldeep Yadav, you can't write him off. He has got a great future. He is exceptionally talented. I am sure he will do exceptionally well for us.

What's next for you?
If there is an opportunity, I will be involved with the IPL. Coaching is my forte. I was only working with the cream players, but now I will have an opportunity to spread
my wings.

07
No. of times India bowled out hosts England in the four Test matches earlier this year