Vaibhav Arora Aims to Enhance Skills Under Tim Southee's Guidance for IPL 2024
Vaibhav Arora's Preparation for IPL 2024
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], March 17: As the Indian Premier League (IPL) approaches, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fast bowler Vaibhav Arora is dedicated to refining his skills and game strategy. He is eager to learn from Tim Southee, the legendary New Zealand pacer who has joined KKR as a bowling coach for the upcoming season.
The 28-year-old Arora, hailing from Ambala, made his IPL debut in 2023 and has since taken 36 wickets in 32 matches, boasting an impressive strike rate of 17.72. He played a pivotal role in KKR's championship victory in IPL 2024, securing 11 wickets in 10 matches with an average of 25.09.
As the team prepares for the new season, Arora has been diligently training, focusing on enhancing various aspects of his bowling technique.
"The preparation has been solid overall. We are engaging in practice matches and refining our variations during net sessions. As a fast bowler, it’s essential to prepare thoroughly and enhance your skills for effective execution in matches," he stated in a press release from KKR.
Arora is particularly enthusiastic about collaborating with Tim Southee, who previously played alongside him at KKR. Southee, New Zealand's all-time leading wicket-taker across formats with 776 wickets, brings a wealth of experience to his new role.
Reflecting on his past experiences with Southee, Arora remarked, "Tim is a legendary figure with immense experience. Having been teammates in 2023, I gained valuable insights from him. Now, with him as our bowling coach, I look forward to learning more and enhancing my skills through his guidance. It’s going to be exciting working with him again."
Known for his prowess with the new ball, Arora aims to broaden his skill set and adapt to the varying conditions he may encounter this season. "At Eden Gardens last year, the new ball swung for only the first few overs. After that, the conditions and pitch nature mean variations become crucial," he explained.
With this in mind, he has been focusing on perfecting his variations and execution, which proved effective in the previous season. "Last year, we successfully executed yorkers with the new ball. As a bowler, it’s vital to leverage the ground's dimensions and select deliveries wisely against each batsman," he noted.
He emphasized the significance of pace and control when delivering different lengths in T20 matches. "Maintaining good pace is essential for executing hard-length deliveries and restricting batters' room. If the pitch offers assistance, slower balls and bouncers become crucial alongside yorkers," he added.
Looking forward, Arora stated that the team's focus is on maintaining their preparation and being ready for the next training phase in Kolkata. "Our mindset is set on the upcoming camp in Kolkata, and we aim to be mentally and physically prepared to give our all," he concluded.
The three-time champions will kick off their IPL campaign on March 29 against the five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in Mumbai. With nine wickets in seven matches at an average nearing 40 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and nine wickets in seven games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Arora enters the IPL with a mix of performances behind him.