Team India will try to bounce back in the Test series against England after suffering a humiliating defeat in the third Test at Headingley. The fourth Test will begin on Thursday at the Kennington Oval in London. England won the Leeds Test by innings and 76 runs and levelled the series at 1-1.
India’s bowling coach Bharat Arun feels it is unfair to criticize Indian bowlers just after one poor game. India bowled exceptionally well in the first two Test matches but looked off-colour during the third game.
Also Read: Bharat Arun feels India will rotate their pacers during England tour
“At Lord’s, our bowling was better than England. At Headingley, they were better. But one has to understand that our bowlers were defending 78. Defending low scores are the biggest challenge,” Bharat Arun told the reporters ahead of the fourth Test match against England.
“It is not fair to pull up bowlers if they have not done in one match. We have to accept it and take the positives and move on. The same bowling line-up bowled out England under 60 overs.”
India’s ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin hasn’t played a single Test in the five-match series against England. With keeping the spin-friendly pitch at The Oval in mind, Team India can bring him back in the playing XI.
“He (Ashwin) is our best spinner. It’s unfortunate that he has not played a single Test in this series. We will have a fresh look on the pitch tomorrow because a lot can change overnight. If Ashwin fits our scheme of things, he and Jadeja will play,” said Arun.
“It is true that Oval track has historically favoured the spinner. But England knows the quality of Ashwin and Jadeja possesses and what damage the duo can do if there will be little help from the pitch.”
Also Read: L Sivaramakrishnan credits Bharat Arun for Mohammed Siraj’s rise
He mentioned Ravindra Jadeja is absolutely fine.
“It was precautionary tests. He was just made to wear the hospital suit for the scans, and he posted a photo. He is absolutely fine,” he added.
England skipper Joe Root has proved to be a thorn in India’s flesh with over 500 runs in three Tests and he scored a hundred in all three games.
“We have given Root a good start in all the innings. We need to work on that,” said Arun.
Amidst all the talk, he mentioned Team India will put a spirit performance at The Oval Test and will bounce back.
“There’s tremendous bounce-back ability in this team. We have done it in the past. We were 36 all out and in Adelaide and then went won to win the Test series. Against England at home, we lost the opening Test badly in Chennai; we again came back strongly. You will see a spirited Indian fight back at Oval,” he concluded.
