Hyderabad: A thumping victory over a sub-par team to take a 1-0 lead notwithstanding, Team India are leaving no room for complacency with the second Test against West Indies beginning here on Friday.
Bowling coach Bharat Arun refrained from brushing the competition off while speaking to reporters on Wednesday. “After losing the first Test, we are aware they (the West Indies) will come hard at us. However, we have plans in places as well,” he said.
Arun had high praise for Prithvi Shaw’s debut century in Rajkot. “His knock was fabulous. It’s not the runs he got... his composure was very good. For someone playing his first Test match, his body language was outstanding. These are things which we look at and that probably holds good for the future,” he said.
Arun also threw his weight behind vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane. “He is in pretty good shape and if you look at the overseas record, Rahane is probably one of the best, it’s just a question of going out there and performing. He has got everything in him to do well at any given point of time,” he said.
He batted for opener K.L. Rahul as well. “Ravi Shastri (head coach) and Sanjay Bangar (batting coach) had a very good chat with him and as far as I’m concerned, Rahul is a fantastic player. He has got outstanding potential and I think he is somebody whom we can persist with. He is definitely a superb batsman for the future,” he said.
Understandably, Arun is pleased with the show put up by the bowlers but “we would constantly like to improve.”
Speaking of Umesh Yadav, who has been in and out of the playing XI, Arun said “Umesh is quick but we also have a system wherein the bowlers are rotated and remain fresh. Umesh would definitely be a part of that and we are extremely confident of what he can bring to the table. It is unfortunate that Umesh didn’t get to play much in South Africa and England as others have bowled exceptionally well.”
Arun also had words of appreciation for Hyderabad fast bowler Mohammed Siraj. “When I was with him during my stint in Hyderabad, he did exceptionally well. He has learnt over the years and his recent performances in India ‘A’ matches reflect how quick a learner he is,” Arun said of Siraj.
