India vs Australia: ‘They were given a canvas and they painted themselves heroes,’ shares bowling coach Bharat Arun

India vs Australia: ‘They were given a canvas and they painted themselves heroes,’ shares bowling coach Bharat Arun

Bharat Arun and Ravi Shastri

Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun
Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun

The recently concluded Border Gavaskar series was a test of gut and character of the Indian side. While the batters showed it with the bat in hand, the bowlers had an even tougher ordeal Down Under. Ridden with numerous injuries, the bowling unit was reduced from 14 to five over the course of the four-match Test series. The situation was such that, India saw four of the five fit bowlers debuting in the series.

Despite the odds, the young brigade stood up to the challenge and delivered. And there is no one prouder in the side than the bowling coach Bharat Arun. The 58-year-old asserts that if he had to tour Australia under the same circumstances again, he would pick this bowling unit without any hesitation.

“If I have to keep coming to Australia again and again for such demanding tours, I would pick this same set each and every time. They were given a canvas and they painted themselves heroes,” Arun was quoted by TOI.

But not once did these boys flinch

Bharat Arun and Ravi Shastri
Bharat Arun and Ravi Shastri

The final Test of the series, the toughest of all the four games, saw India field a bowling unit with the collective experience of four Tests. To worsen the situation, Navdeep Saini limped off in the first innings. But the young brigade never gave up. Coach Arun hails the youngsters’ ‘determined spirit and resolve’ for the heist they pulled off at Gabba.

“Imagine the horror when Saini too ran the risk of injury. But not once did these boys flinch. They woke up each morning and strode out like champions. They were determined to prove themselves. We all knew there was nothing to lose. It’s their determined spirit and resolve that saw India through,” he says.

After a heroic show in Brisbane, the team management rewarded the young bowlers with call ups for the England tour. Although the return of the senior pros might not see them taking to the field during the home series. But it sure will boost their spirit as they will be the one shouldering the team in times to come.

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