Bumrah's Bowling Prowess and Kuldeep's All-Round Push Headline India's Birmingham Nets Session Ahead of Second Test

Jasprit Bumrah immediately set a focused tone upon entering the Edgbaston Cricket Ground nets. After a short walk, he readied himself, performing his signature shoulder rotation before taking his position at the center net.

He initiated his session with a sequence of gentle deliveries, gradually increasing his pace as he warmed up for an aggressive spell of fast bowling. Once he felt sufficiently loose, his run-up was measured in preparation for an intense 20-minute burst. With several key batsmen, including Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, absent from Saturday's session, Bumrah bowled to players like Sai Sudharsan, Ravindra Jadeja, and Karun Nair.

Bumrah consistently challenged the batters, testing their resilience with precise accuracy and varying his angles of attack—maneuvering around the wicket for left-handers and exploiting the crease's width against right-handers. Beyond his technical skills, his mental sharpness was evident. The three-day break from bowling appeared to have rejuvenated the 31-year-old, who bowled alongside Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.

The trio, who participated in the Headingley Test, refrained from bowling during their first Birmingham practice session on Friday but engaged purposefully on the second day. Each bowler spent around thirty minutes bowling before practicing batting in the nets.

Siraj practiced leaves, ducks, and forward defense with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. Bumrah, meanwhile, rotated among the nets to experience different bowling styles, from side-armers to slow bowlers and throwdowns. He maintained a high level of focus throughout his extended session. He also engaged in shadow practice while awaiting his turn to bat. Despite a shaky start, the right-hander gained confidence and appeared assured by the end of the day.

As usual, Ravindra Jadeja continued his batting practice, while Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep impressed with their bowling. Kuldeep Yadav focused on both his batting and bowling skills. While Akash or Arshdeep's inclusion hinges on Bumrah's availability, Kuldeep is diligently preparing for potential selection.

The left-arm wrist-spinner bowled, batted, and actively sought feedback from the support staff and his teammates. He experimented with new angles and varying lengths, and the dry Birmingham weather might prompt the team management to consider him for the second Test next week.

Kuldeep's physical condition appears optimal, and his bowling rhythm is evident, dating back to the pre-match sessions in Leeds before the series began. He had a compelling contest with Gill before the first Test and continues to relish his battles with Indian batters in Birmingham.

Kuldeep's efforts extend beyond bowling. He has dedicated hours to refining his batting under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. For the past year and a half, he has been diligently working to improve his batting and aims to make meaningful contributions with the bat.

After two days of training, the team will take a break before reconvening on June 30. The bowlers will rest, while bowling coach Morne Morkel may continue his playful wrestling with Arshdeep and Akash Deep at the team hotel. As for Bumrah, his status remains uncertain for at least the next 48 hours.