Bharat Arun to conduct coaching programme
Bharat Arun, who served as India’s fast bowling coach from 2014 to 2021, will conduct a comprehensive two-week coaching programme at the High Performance Centre located at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium premises in Colombo. This initiative represents the latest collaboration between high-profile Indian coaching personnel and Sri Lankan cricket development.
The programme, which begins tomorrow, focuses on advancing fast bowling techniques for both players and coaches across multiple levels of Sri Lankan cricket. Arun brings significant credentials to the role, having been instrumental in developing India’s current generation of pace bowlers during his seven-year tenure with the national team.
A spokesperson from the High Performance Centre emphasised the strategic importance of the initiative: “We have identified that our coaches and players need to upgrade, and these sessions are aimed at helping them enhance their knowledge.”
Arun’s programme will encompass Sri Lanka’s men’s and women’s national teams, the women’s ‘A’ team, and the U19 men’s squad. Additionally, High Performance Centre coaches, provincial and club-level coaches, and coach educators will participate in the specialised training sessions.
According to Sri Lanka Cricket’s official media release, Arun’s programme includes several key components like separate strategic sessions tailored for red-ball and white-ball formats,technical and skill-based training specifically for fast bowlers, video analysis and performance evaluation workshops for players and coaches and match scenario simulations designed to enhance tactical understanding.
The programme will commence with intensive training for the U19 national squad before expanding to other teams and coaching personnel. This coaching programme continues a pattern of Indian expertise sharing their expertise with locals. Earlier this year, former India fielding coach R. Sridhar conducted a 10-day specialised programme. In 2024, Zubin Bharucha, the Rajasthan Royals’ director of high performance, also delivered batting coaching sessions in Sri Lanka.