Playing an extra batsman in the second Test against England at Lord’s will be a conservative move as the Lord's surface seems more bowler-friendly than Edgbaston, opined India bowling coach Bharat Arun.
"Playing an extra batsman here, I would consider it as a conservative move. I think everything depends on the conditions and they are not going to be as friendly as it was in the first Test, it makes more sense to play five bowlers,” Arun was quoted as saying in a PTI report.
Surprisingly, Arun also defended Indian batsmen tactic of going hard and pushing at the ball. "The batsmen played a lot forward in Birmingham and they did it in the practice game as well. They feel they have a lot more options in doing that rather than staying back inside the crease," Arun added.
India’s bowling coach was happy that India again claimed 20 wickets in a Test although they lost again. “We can't ask for anything better. There is still room for improvement but the bowlers did a good job. There was huge improvement from the first innings to the second and that was extremely welcome," he added.
The second Test at Lord’s begins on Thursday.
--By A Cricket Correspondent