India bowling coach Bharat Arun said the current pace attack is probably the best the country has ever had.

India’s pacers Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah took 14 of 20 Australian wickets to fall in the first Test in Adelaide and were marginally better overall than their Australian counterparts. Off-spinner Ravi Ashwin kept a tight lid on the scoring, picking up six wickets in the match.

When asked if this is India’s best bowling attack ever, Arun said: “So far, yes. I can say that not only now because of 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 the best group of fast bowlers India has had.”

Arun said it was the consistency in pace, lines and discipline that has set the Indian bowling apart from the previous ones.

“I think consistency was a big issue earlier,” Arun said ahead of the second Test in Perth which begins on Friday.

“That’s something we have addressed with the bowlers. This is something they’ve really worked very hard on. They have responded well.”

While Ashwin kept the scoring down in the second innings as Australia came within 31 runs of a famous win chasing 323, there were some concerns that the off-spinner had once again failed to land the killer blow himself in the second innings of an away Test. However, Arun said Ashwin had been given the containing role and did it perfectly.

“Spinners mature a lot with age. Ashwin has been really good. He gave us the control in the last match. Bowling close to 90 overs for 147 runs and six wickets – you can’t ask for anything more. That’s the job he was entrusted with and I thought he did that exceptionally well.”

Even though India are 1-0 up, the bowling coach expects the hosts to hit back hard in Perth.

“We are aware that its their home conditions. Also, we’re aware of the fact that Australia will be coming hard at us now. But we will stick to the plan that works for us,” he added.