Big challenge for India to comeback against Kiwis, says bowling coach Bharat Arun

Pune: After trailing by 0-1 in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, India bowling coach Bharat Arun on Tuesday admitted that the Kane Williamson-led side have competed exceptionally well in the opening match and that it would be a bigger challenge for his side to make a comeback.

The Men in Blue have rarely been in such a situation in the ODI series in the recent past, but a six-wicket defeat at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has put the hosts trailing in the series.

Now, India have to win the second game if they want to keep themselves alive in the three-match series.

Speaking on the eve of the second ODI at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Arun said that his side have plans in place and that it would be quite interesting to see how India make a comeback in the series.

"We look at it as a big challenge right now. New Zealand, in all fairness, compete exceptionally well. They had a fantastic partnership and they went on to win the game. It's a bigger challenge for us to comeback. We know we have plans in place and it will be a good testing ground for the team on how you come back from behind and do well in the series," Arun told the reporters.

The opening game's result came as a surprise as India have been performing exceedingly well at home, having recently defeated world champions Australia 4-1 in the five-match series.

New Zealand batsmen Ross Taylor and Tom Latham were praised for the way they handled the Indian spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.

And Arun revealed that the team management had looked closely at the way New Zealand batsmen had played and that they would look to implement new plans in the upcoming match.

"We have taken a good look at the videos of how they play and from where they sweep. Definitely, the plans will change for these batsmen. These two wrist spinners (Kuldeep and Chahal) have done their job, they have time and again taken wickets.

"Sometimes it does happen that you get the desired wickets or you have plans in place but it doesn't work out but then if you look at the overall percentages, I think they have very well shaped up and one odd match shouldn't trouble us," the bowling coach said.