Lillee the answer to Aaron's bowling

Australian fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee has been the key to Varun Aaron’s improved performances this IPL season, the Indian quick has revealed.

Aaron was one of the heroes of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s crushing win over Delhi Daredevils on Sunday, claiming Yuvraj Singh and Angelo Mathews off successive deliveries to leave the hosts reeling.

Quick single: Starc stars as Delhi are routed for 95

The 25-year-old said the disappointment of missing a place in India’s Cricket World Cup squad had seen him seek the assistance of Lillee to bring more discipline to his bowling.

“I went to Australia and I had a stint with Dennis Lillee for a week (and) that really helped me a lot,” Aaron told iplt20.com.

“I was disappointed not make it to the World Cup and I had time in my hands.

“So before the Irani Trophy, I had gone over there (to Australia) and then I immediately picked up six wickets on return.

“The areas that he helped me on were just basic stuff; he helped me with the technique and that just helped me be more accurate. We worked on my bowling action.”

Image Id: ~/media/6F7D8FBBF4244B099337FBE55A505D53Dennis Lillee in his playing days // Getty Images

Aaron has played four matches in IPL8, going wicket-less in his first two appearances before collecting 1-38 against Kolkata Knight Riders and 2-24 against the Daredevils.

“I felt I was bowling well in the first two-three matches, but just the odd over was going wrong,” Aaron said.

“I was just waiting for a match like this to come up with a good performance.”

Aaron said working with Bangalore coaches Allan Donald and Bharat Arun had also helped.

Aaron combined with Australian left-armer Mitchell Starc to rout Delhi Daredevils for 95, with Starc’s 3-20 his second match-winning performance since arriving in India early last week.

Image Id: ~/media/6D615733D0B848A687FFE8FF8EC216F9Mitchell Starc celebrates a wicket // BCCI

“Having Mitch in the team is an asset for any team,” Aaron said.

“He is a great bowler and a good team man as well.

“He gets that wicket upfront which makes it easier because the opposition goes on the back-foot right there. It is good fun playing with Mitch.”

He said the pair’s plan against the Daredevils had been to take advantage of the bounce in the Delhi wicket.

“We just wanted to bowl hard lengths in the beginning and luckily the wicket was doing a little bit and that just worked for us,” he said.

“Bounce in the wicket always helps, especially when it goes through well with good bounce.

“This wicket was really pleasing to bowl on after bowling in Bangalore for the past two matches.”

Before Starc’s return the Royal Challengers had lacked the bowling potency to back up their star-studded batting line-up, but Aaron said he felt the team was now “in a good place” after back-to-back wins.

“These are the performances that RCB is all about. Comprehensive wins, because we have got the talent and we have got the players.”