India to field best XI in second Test, says bowling coach Bharat Arun

Although there were suggestions from former Indian cricketers to try new players in the second Test against the Windies, bowling coach Bharat Arun has said the best XI will be fielded in the second match in Hyderabad from October 12. India thumped the visitors by an innings and 272 runs inside three days in the first Test in Rajkot to take an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.

Three Indian batsmen, including debutant opener Prithvi Shaw, hit hundreds against a depleted Windies attack in the first Test and then the spinners proved too hot to be handled by the Caribbean batsmen. Arun said the Indian team is aware that the visitors will come back hard at them and try to win the Test, something they haven’t done on Indian soil since 1994. The Windies will also see the return of their regular skipper Jason Holder and Kemar Roach, both of whom are handy pacers for the visiting side as well.

Arun said in a pre-match conference in Hyderbad on October 10 that the Indian team management believed everyone of the 16-member squad is good enough to represent the country. Replying to a question whether the series against the Windies gives the Indian team a perfect preparation for their upcoming Australia tour, the 55-year-old said every Test match makes a player who the team can look up to.

Arun praises Prithvi Shaw

“For instance, look at Prithvi Shaw who was fabulous in the first Test at Rajkot. More than the runs he scored, the composure and the body language he showed are the kind of things we look for from a player,” Arun said. “Definitely, we are delighted with the way the bowlers are doing well consistently at the highest level. Still, we are constantly looking for improvement in all areas.”

On KL Rahul, who returned to form at the fag end of the England series but failed to capitalise on a wicket in Rajkot where every other Indian batsmen made merry, Arun said the former is a “fantastic player” who should be persisted with.

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