India reveal bowling strategy success

With India on the verge of a historic series win on these shores, a major part of their success in Australia has been how their all-round bowling attack has stifled the local batters.

Up against Australia's formidable four-pronged attack, India's bowling group led by unorthodox paceman Jasprit Bumrah has out-bowled their fierce counterparts.

The secret to their success hasn't been a revolutionary piece of training equipment, superior banter or perhaps funky field settings.

No, it's been a simple bowling strategy designed to nullify the greatest strength of an Australian batsman in their own conditions. 

"We do have a lot of respect for the (Australia) fast-bowling attack and I think they are probably one of the best in the world," India bowling coach Bharat Arun said.

"We were more focused on what we could do. 

"We also knew we had come to Australia previously, we knew what the wickets would be in Australia and they're very similar to the ones we got in South Africa (where India lost 2-1 12 months ago). 

"So, we drew up on all those experiences and we said that to be successful in Australia we need to make sure we need to take the cut and the pull out of the Australian batsmen and then focus the attack on our strengths. 

"So, that's exactly what we did."

Australia batter Peter Handscomb, who is among the top order that has found it difficult to resist India's awesome attack, paid tribute to how the visitors' bowlers executed their plans.

"I've had one cut shot this series and I hit it straight to second slip," Handscomb told reporters after play on Sunday. 

"They haven't missed their mark. 

"You talk about bowling plans as long as you want but they've executed 'top of off, odd bouncer' which is Test cricket and they've just kept repeating and repeating and repeating. 

"Credit to them it's been very impressive."

Six of the seven specialist bowlers India have used this series are averaging less than 30, led by Bumrah’s 21 wickets at 17, while only one Australian – Pat Cummins – is averaging under that mark.

However, what should be pointed out is how India’s bowlers have not had to bowl to the likes of run machine Cheteshwar Pujara and world No.1 Test batsman Virat Kohli.

Instead, India’s attack has bowled at an inexperienced lineup down on confidence and still finding its feet at Test match level. 

What has helped India's bowlers execute their bowling plan has been a lack of pace and bounce in the pitches this series that the Australians crave.

Besides Perth Stadium, where the ball zipped through and Australia capitalised to level the series, the Test pitches this summer have played lower and slower than traditional Australian surfaces.

Australia captain Tim Paine said yesterday he had hoped the pitches this series, in particular in Melbourne and Sydney, had more pace and bounce, but did not use it as a reason why his bowlers were unable to make inroads as effectively as their opponents. 

"We’ve just been outplayed," Paine said. 

"Both teams have had similar conditions. But from me, who also loves watching Test cricket, I’m sure guys would like to see a bit more pace and bounce in Australia. 

"Something we’ve probably become accustomed to in Australia but it is what it is.  

"We’ve just got to play better on whatever wickets are served up, wherever we are in the world."

Domain Test Series v India

Dec 6-10: India won by 31 runs

Dec 14-18: Australia won by 146 runs

Dec 26-30: India won by 137 runs

Jan 3-7: Fourth Test, SCG

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c, wk), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Mitch Marsh (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc

India squad: Virat Kohli (c), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hardik Pandya, Hanuma Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant (wk), Parthiv Patel (wk), Ravi Ashwin, Ravi Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar