Varun Aaron grew up in the small town of Jamshedpur, dreaming of becoming a fighter pilot. However, his aspirations shifted dramatically at the age of 14 when he met Dennis Lillee. From that point forward, his sole ambition was to bowl faster than any Indian ever had.
Dennis Lillee's playing career has been extensively discussed, but on his 75th birthday, it is important to highlight his contributions as a coach, particularly his work in India since 1987. His efforts had a significant impact, transforming India's spin-dominated bowling attack into the formidable fast bowling unit seen today.
The Rise of Fast Bowling in India
Until the 1990s, India had produced only one fast bowler of great repute: Kapil Dev. Recognizing the need for change, the late Ravi Mammen, managing director of MRF Tyres, took the initiative to develop fast bowlers capable of winning matches overseas. He needed someone familiar with achieving the impossible, and Dennis Lillee was the perfect fit.
The MRF Pace Foundation, established to produce fast bowlers, provided Dennis with the platform to share his knowledge and innovative training methods with young bowlers from India and around the world. Subroto Banerjee, a former Test fast bowler and current India selector, was among the first batch of trainees under Dennis. Banerjee stated that Dennis taught them how to be champions and helped him realise his full potential as a bowler.
Dennis introduced strength training, video analysis, dietary planning, and state-of-the-art infrastructure to India, creating an ecosystem for fast bowlers that was ahead of its time. His understanding of the body, mind, and bowling techniques allowed him to offer small but significant tips that could elevate a bowler’s speed and accuracy.
Personal Mentorship and Innovative Techniques
After the 2014-15 India tour of Australia, Varun felt something was off with his rhythm but couldn't identify the issue. With the Irani Trophy and upcoming Test series, he needed a solution fast. Hesitant, he called Dennis, knowing he was no longer coaching formally. To his surprise, Dennis agreed to see him immediately, and he flew to Perth.
Upon Varun's arrival, Dennis told him to focus on his left arm. Most coaches would suggest more extensive changes, but Dennis knew the precise adjustment Varun needed. For a week, they worked on ensuring his left arm was directed towards the target. Returning to India, Varun played the Irani Trophy match against Karnataka and took eight wickets. Dennis’s insights and energy were infectious, giving Varun the confidence to perform.
Varun's first encounter with Dennis was in 2004 during a try-outtryout at MRF. Dennis’s aura was evident – larger than life, no-nonsense, and entirely focused on creating the perfect fast bowler. He selected Varun as a full-time trainee, and the next five years under his guidance shaped Varun as a bowler and a person. Dennis believed in pushing beyond comfort zones, often making them bowl for hours in the heat followed by a 5km time trial to be completed in 20 minutes.
Dennis Lillee’s Lasting Legacy
Dennis made the bowlers see fast bowling as a lifestyle. To sustain high speeds throughout a career, one had to live and breathe fast bowling. Despite multiple injuries, particularly seven stress fractures in his back, Dennis instilled faith in Varun. He shared how he overcame a major back fracture without modern medical expertise, developing his own methods to become the best fast bowler in the world.
Over his 25-year tenure in India, Dennis produced 17 fast bowlers for the national team, many of whom consistently bowled over 140kph, with some breaking the 150kph barrier. This included legends like Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan, along with many others who dominated the domestic circuit.
These bowlers were not only the new breed of Indian fast bowlers but also influencers who changed how the game was perceived in India. As the results of Dennis's work became evident, the Indian cricket system gradually adopted a more organised training and coaching structure. Fast bowlers from other countries, including Shoaib Akhtar, Brett Lee, and Tim Southee, also came to India to train with Dennis.
TA Sekhar, a former bowling coach at MRF, called Dennis "a messiah to Indian fast bowling." Sekhar recalled Dennis's sharp eye for talent, citing how Dennis predicted Zaheer Khan’s future with the Indian team after watching him bowl just three balls. Dennis’s ability to identify and shape young talent was remarkable. His influence is evident in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup-winning squads, where three of the four fast bowlers had trained under him.
Irfan Pathan shared his experience, noting that Dennis never altered a bowler's action unless it posed a risk of injury. Dennis appreciated Irfan’s batting skills, boosting his confidence at a young age. Dennis also mentored international fast bowlers like Mitchell Johnson, helping him make a significant comeback in the 2013-14 Ashes series.
Dennis's ethos of honesty, determination, and relentless work ethic is central to the spirit of a fast bowler. Beneath his tough exterior was a generous and empathetic heart, enabling him to positively impact numerous careers.
In sharing Varun’s experience with Dennis Lillee, he echoes the sentiments of many fast bowlers worldwide who owe their careers to this extraordinary coach.