Pacers need to be protected like race horses: Bharat Arun

Perth: The impressive Indian fast bowlers are like race horses, who need to be protected and handled carefully, says India's bowling coach Bharat Arun, who avowed that the current lot is one of the best the country has seen.

The Indian pacers, and the entire attack as a whole, has been impressive on all overseas tours this year.

In South Africa they picked up all 60 wickets in three Tests and in England, they took 82 out of 90 wickets available in five Tests.

In Australia now, they have made a great start with 20 wickets on a slower deck in Adelaide to give India a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.

"I can say that not only now for what they did in Adelaide but what they've done over a period of time in South Africa, in England and now in Australia.

"This is probably one of the best group of fast bowlers India has ever had," Arun said ahead of the second Test against Australia.

"Fast bowlers are a precious commodity and they need to be taken care of, like what you do with a racehorse and that's exactly what's happening, he said, reflecting on reports that Virat Kohli and his wife vacated business class seats for the pacers on their way to Perth.

Arun said the pacers — Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma — have improved because they have found consistency.

"Consistency was a bit issue (on previous tours) and that's something we've addressed with the bowlers. It's something we've really worked hard on. We insist on one-person form factor even during practice, and the bowlers have responded exceptionally well. That's showing dividends right now."