Fearless India Risked Losing 4th Test To Win The Series: Bharat Arun
Before the crucial fourth and final Test against Australia in Brisbane, India was tempted to strengthen their batting and play only four bowlers in the hope of securing a draw to return home with the
But the Ravi Shastri-led team management eventually went in with five bowlers, risking a series loss in pursuit of a win and glory.
Trending
"In the last Test match, there were discussions about playing the extra batsman. But we all thought that it will be a negative move. All of us thought that five-bowler theory has worked for us and let us back that principle," said Indian team's bowling coach Bharat Arun, as the team decided to play left-handed batsman and off-spinner Washington Sundar, who had not played a first-class game for over three years.
"Sundar batted well. Being a leftie...I thought we should be positive," he said.
Arun revealed how the five-bowler theory was formed.
"We had formed this five-bowler theory about three years ago, because to bowl out a team in conditions abroad, it demands a lot out of bowlers. Ravi and Virat have been extremely firm by saying that we need to play five bowlers to be successful abroad. Yes, sometimes you may lose matches. But the guiding principle of this team has been to be fearless and honest," he said.
"In pursuit of excellence, we are not scared and don't fear losing games. We will lose a few games but then those games are going to teach a lot of lessons. Sport is about failure and how you bounce back from failures makes you a sportsperson and that is exactly the principle we are going with it."
