'That’s when entire bowling revolution started': Arun recalls Shastri's dressing down to Bumrah & Co

The forthcoming second and final Test between India and South Africa at Newlands Cricket Ground is expected to be a tough and critical encounter in the series. With South Africa ahead 1-0, India will look to even the series, making this a must-see event for cricket lovers. The contest, which will take place from the 3rd to the 7th of January, promises to showcase top-quality cricket as both sides fight for victory. The elegant location of Newlands Cricket Ground, as well as the demanding pitch conditions, are sure to add to the atmosphere of this highly anticipated match.

3 things you need to know 

• India lost the 1st test by an innings and 32 runs 
• Indian cricket team didn't perform in the last Test 
• Rohit Sharma and squad will look to bounce back against SA

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Bharat Arun recalls Ravi Shastri's Cape Town advice that led to the bowling revolution 

Following India's defeat by an innings and 32 runs to South Africa in the Centurion Test, the fast bowlers drew harsher criticism than the batting team. Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun highlighted comparisons between India's stunning recovery in the 2020/21 Australia trip and the forthcoming Cape Town match, which begins on Wednesday. Arun praised Jasprit Bumrah's comeback to red-ball cricket at SuperSport Park, but lamented the lack of assistance from fellow pacers. Arun gave counsel for the pace unit before of the important Newlands Test, emphasising Ravi Shastri's remarks from the 2018 Cape Town encounter. In an interview with RevSportz, Arun praised Kagiso Rabada's performance and advised Indian bowlers to imitate his pinpoint accuracy. Arun specifically mentioned Bumrah as the standout player in the first Test. He said: 

“If you really look at the discipline that the South Africans showed, if you look at the pitch map of Rabada in the first innings, it was impeccable. Yes, the four-to-six-metre marks are the best, because that gives you a chance for the ball to move as well, or even seam off the wicket. You’re bowling that much quicker because of the trajectory. So not only that, if you look at the line which Rabada bowled, I thought that was exceptional. And the only comparison I can say is I was pretty impressed with Bumrah’s bowling,”

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Arun looked at where the other fast bowlers, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, and rookie Prasidh Krishna, went wrong. He recalled Ravi Shastri's advice during the 2018 Test match in Cape Town, especially after the first innings. India had allowed 286 runs in the first innings but made a miraculous turnaround in the second innings, restricting the opponent to only 130 runs. Despite finishing on the losing side, the pacers took all ten wickets during this phase. Arun emphasized the need to learn from past experiences and implement those lessons to improve the performance of the fast bowlers in the present series against South Africa. Arun, on Ravi Shastri’s advice, said: 

"The rest of them, if you look at their lines, there was much to be desired. Far too much width and also, on certain occasions, far too short. So that that doesn’t suit, you know, when you’re bowling in South Africa. Like I remember the conversation Ravi Shastri had after the Cape Town Test first innings – he said I want you guys to leave the driving licence at home. Unless you have something specific, attack them all the time. So, that was the key. That’s when the entire bowling revolution started. So I think discipline is of most importance,"