Bharat Arun thinks Lucknow Super Giants’ fast-bowling crop is maturing quickly enough to wear the India cap sooner rather than later. Speaking on the eve of LSG’s visit to Chepauk, the bowling coach praised Prince Yadav’s sharp rise, kept faith in Mohsin Khan and Mayank Yadav, and insisted the three can handle the next step if they stay fit.
“See, Prince, last year he showed glimpses of what he could achieve,” Arun said, recalling the seamer’s debut season that yielded only three wickets in six outings. In 2026 the numbers look different: 16 wickets from ten innings, joint-second on the season list behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Anshul Kamboj.
The improvement, Arun explained, came from simple conversations and deliberate repetition. “So, actually this year during the camps that we had, we discussed his strengths. See, under pressure, sometimes a bowler goes blank. But under pressure, the one who is confident of executing his strengths is going to be most successful in execution.”
He added: “So, we had lot of one-on-one chats during the pre-season camps and things like that. And understood what is the best, what are their strengths. And we went about working perfectly on their strengths and on execution.”
That work produced one of the deliveries of this IPL. Commentator Martin labelled it “‘Ball of the tournament’ – Martin on Prince’s nip-backer to Kohli” after Virat Kohli was squared up in Lucknow. Arun could only agree. “Even we had a chat with Kohli and Kohli said: ‘how did he bowl that ball?’ Because it’s not very common,” the coach laughed. “Mostly, outswing bowlers, after pitching, the ball swings in the air. After pitching, the ball tends to come in because of the position of the seam, how it lands.
“I don’t think any bowler can bowl it at will, but if you are consistently working on your swing, it can be possible. And it was a dream ball.”
Former India batter Ambati Rayudu put it more succinctly: “He seems to be an all-format bowler,” Ambati Rayudu says.
Arun also sees room for Mohsin Khan and Mayank Yadav. The left-arm Mohsin has found rhythm after injury, while Mayank—who touched 150 kph in 2024 before a run of side strains—played a quietly effective spell last week. “See, one reason me joining Lucknow Super Giants is due to the fact they were really exciting bowlers,” Arun said. “If you look at Prince, Mohsin [Khan], [Mohammed] Shami is doing well and even now Mayank Yadav bowled pretty well last game. Okay, he is little short of match practice I would say, but he is getting there. And also, we have other few exciting prospects on hand.”
His conclusion was straightforward. “So, overall if you look at it, if you ask me a question, can they play for India? Yes, they have it in them to play [for India]. It’s [about] how well they [India’s team management] bring together the talent and getting the best out of it is a challenge for them.”
For now the immediate challenge is Chennai, a ground that rewards smart lengths and calm heads. Prince, Mohsin and Mayank have spent the week tweaking those lengths in training. If the progress continues, a national call-up may be closer than it looks.
