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India's new bowling state of mind

India's bowlers are benefiting from a positive approach from Virat Kohli and bowling coach Bharat Arun

Virat Kohli is a staunch believer that bowlers win Test matches and it is a mindset that is bringing about a marked change in the India captain’s bowling attack.

Taking over a team that relied on its batsmen for many years – understandably, given the golden generation of Indians who have wielded the willow during that time - Kohli's captaincy has instead looked in a different direction.

Bowlers, Kohli has often said, will win you Tests - not batsmen – and his selection tactics have reflected this mindset.

"Batsmen can hardly get you a Test match from a difficult situation, if you are chasing,” Kohli said before the start of the Test series.

“More often than not, it’s the bowlers who eventually out you in that position when you have to chase a small total. So bowlers’ role is more important than batsmen in Test matches.”

In each of his matches as India captain, Kohli has opted to play either five bowlers, or four frontline bowlers and a capable allrounder.

But it's not just the make-up of the bowling attack, but getting the best out of them that is proving vital to the success of Kohli and India.

India bowling coach Bharat Arun joined the side last year during the transition period between former captain MS Dhoni and Kohli, and he has been one of the chief architects of the above philosophy.

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Recently, Ravichandran Ashwin gave Arun credit for his resurrection having earlier been dropped from the opening Test in Australia before returning backing to scoop up the man-of-the-series award in Sri Lanka.

He grabbed eight wickets in the first Test in Mohali, and took 4-70 as South Africa were bowled out for 214 on day one of the second Test.  

On a washed-out second day in Bengaluru that provided few talking points aside from the weather, Arun shed light on what had changed for the spinner.

"It's all about creating awareness, make him aware of what he is doing," Arun said.

"It’s also about empowering a bowler. The challenge is to empower them so that they are able to feel what they are doing and they are able to repeat it consistently."

Along with Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja had also endured some poor form in Australia and spent time out of the squad, dropped for the Test in Bangladesh and the series in Sri Lanka.

But he too has responded strongly, first picking up a truckload of wickets at first-class level before responding with a man-of-the-match showing in Mohali and taking 4-50 on Saturday.

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Arun considers Jadeja to be a bowler the side can rely on in any format, due to his ability to bowl in a given area, ball after ball, over after over.

Give him helpful conditions and this consistency becomes a potent weapon - as seen first Test.

"I guess he had some time to reflect (on what was going wrong) when he was out of the team," Arun said of Jadeja's change in fortunes.

"He had time to think about work and where to improve. His performance in Ranji Trophy should have given him loads of confidence,

"Moreover, Jadeja is one of your banker bowlers no matter what - whether Test or One-dayers. He’s using that strength to the advantage now."

Unlike many of his predecessors, Kohli doesn't mind giving his fast bowlers a run - even in conditions supposed to help spinners.

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At Mohali, where even a part-time spin bowler like Dean Elgar grabbed a four-wicket haul, he was happy to play two frontline bowlers in Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron.

Ishant Sharma has returned for the second Test and together with Aaron and Stuart Binny, bowled 25 of the 59 overs South Africa faced in their first innings.

While Ishant did not collect a wicket on Saturday, it was his eight-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in the final Test in Colombo that won India that match.

While there has been speculation that an improved wrist position is the chief reason behind Ishant’s improvement, Arun believes confidence is the key.

"To be honest, we haven't done munch with his [Ishant's] action," he said.

"But as I said earlier, we make them more aware of different angles and what angles would suit their bowling best.

“Once the player is aware of these things, he will be able to perform the skills much better. They also gain a lot of confidence knowing that they be consistent in what they do."