An exciting series between India and Australia had a thrilling finish with the hosts winning 3-2. But the series wasn’t as thrilling for the bowlers from either side as they kept their chins up and bowled their hearts out only to be hit more often than not. While the batsmen rewrote the record books and the spectators enjoyed the sixes and fours, the bowlers toiled to make their presence felt as they worked on adapting to the new rules on fielding restrictions (only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle in the first powerplay and only three fielders allowed outside the circle during the second Powerplay, while during non-powerplay overs a maximum of four fielders allowed outside the circle).

India’s young pacer, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has made an impact since his impressive debut in December 2012 against Pakistan, finished with only two wickets in the series. However, in a high-scoring series, he had an impressive economy-rate of 5.44.

Looking back at the series, Kumar told bcci.tv that although it has been tough on the bowlers, they are working on adapting to the present circumstances. The bowler himself is working on his yorker since it will help in ebbing the flow of runs.

Excerpts from his interview:

Great contest between the world No.1 and No.2 sides. Fitting that it ended in the last ODI?

Yes, before the series there was a lot of talk about No.1 and No.2 teams. It was very important for us to win the series. And the way we have won is good and it gave a boost to everyone. As we saw, the batsmen dominated the series, but the way the bowlers have bowled in tough conditions ahead of the Test series (against West Indies), it will help their confidence. And the win has boosted everyone.

If it is a one-sided win in a seven-match series, it is good for the team, but then the climax in the series was good. It was good for us and for those who watch the game. But looking at the matches, even 350 is not a safe score anymore.

Was there pressure when James Faulkner batting?

There was pressure because he had scored 100 and was a set batsman. But the plus point was that he was batting with the tailenders. We tried to claim the tailenders. But he batted smartly.

Do you think it was their strategy to see your overs through and then go after the bowling later, given that you have been giving the team early breakthroughs?

It depends on their strategy. If the ball is swinging, then whoever the bowler is, if he is bowling well, then the opposition thinks of playing safe and then attack someone later. And with one more fielder coming up (the new rule of five fielders inside the circle) it has become a bit difficult for the bowlers. I can’t say whether they had such a strategy for me or not, but all of us were trying to bowl at our best and take wickets early on because in the two games that we won earlier we have claimed two or three of their wickets early.

Are the bowlers adopting new strategies to combat the ‘five men in the circle’ rule?

It is necessary to adapt. We just hope that what we give good results. With one more fielder inside the circle, there is pressure and it has had a psychological effect on everyone. So many runs are being scored with the change in field. So it is important that whatever we do, we do it perfectly.

So what are you doing to combat that?

We do what we do normally. Practice is very important. Keeping that field in mind is important when we practice. But the batsmen are also smart. They know where the ball will be pitched. It is a little difficult for the bowlers, but that is how the game is and hopefully we will be able to work it out.

We saw the bowlers doing target practice (a target attached on one stump as the bowlers bowl at it) that last few games. Can you tell us about that?

Our death bowling was not good initially in the series, so we practiced yorkers. So the target practice was for yorkers also. If you see the last two-three games, (you will see) the yorker has gotten better. Obviously, you will concede runs in the death overs no matter how much you try. But it has reduced as compared to the first couple of games. Sometimes bowlers do have an off day like Vinay (Kumar) had (in the seventh ODI). The main thing is that the better you bowl the yorkers, fewer runs are conceded in the death overs.

How important is the combination of pace and swing?

If you have both, then it is definitely good. There are bowlers who have both. I am trying to increase my pace; it will be good if I have that. Mainly I depend on swing; where there is no swing, I can work with pace.

Setting a field will also have to be rethought now. How do you work that out?

It depends from batsman to batsman and their strengths. And we set a field as per that and then try and bowl at a batsman’s weak areas. But with one fielder inside, the margin of error is very little. The better the execution (of the plans), the better the results.

How are you preparing for bowling in the middle and death overs?

The target practice that we did was very important. I bowled today in the death and earlier in the innings. There has been improvement as compared to before. I am working on target bowling mainly. If you bowl a Yorker, there are lesser chances of going for runs; you might give just a run. You are unlucky if you go for a four after bowling a perfect one. I am working on bowling the yorker and perfecting it.

How do you motivate yourself when bowlers are getting hit?

It’s very important. It is a 50-over game. If you get even one wicket, it helps. Others also motivate you and you work as hard as you can out there so that you don’t regret anything later. So that is the motivation to do what you can do on the field.

Your thoughts on Rohit Sharma’s knock

You get to see such a double-ton very rarely. It has happened only thrice and all three batsmen have been Indians. The way he batted today, we were enjoying it. We felt like spectators and it was a real pleasure to watch him.