Jasprit Bumrah immediately signaled his intent upon entering the Edgbaston Cricket Ground nets. With a focused demeanor, he swiftly prepared, initiating his trademark shoulder motion before taking his position in the center net.
Following a gentle warm-up, Bumrah intensified his bowling, gradually increasing pace and precision. After carefully marking his run-up, he engaged in an aggressive 20-minute spell. With several key batsmen absent, Bumrah bowled to players such as Sai Sudharsan, Ravindra Jadeja, and Karun Nair.
He consistently challenged the batsmen, showcasing both accuracy and varied angles, bowling around the wicket to left-handers and utilizing the crease's width against right-handers. Bumrah's fresh mental state, aided by a three-day break from bowling, was evident as he bowled alongside Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.
The trio, who participated in the Headingley Test, concentrated on purposeful training on the second day in Birmingham after skipping bowling during the first practice session. They each bowled for approximately thirty minutes before practicing batting in the nets.
Siraj practiced leaves, ducks, and forward defense under the guidance of batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, while Bumrah sampled various bowling styles, including side-armers, slow bowlers, and throwdowns, remaining highly focused throughout his extended session. He also engaged in shadow practice while awaiting his turn to bat, gradually gaining confidence and looking assured by the end of the day.
Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja continued his batting practice, while Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep impressed with their performances, and Kuldeep Yadav diligently worked on both his batting and bowling skills. Although Akash's or Arshdeep's inclusion depends on Bumrah's availability, Kuldeep is ensuring thorough preparation.
The left-arm wrist-spinner actively sought feedback from support staff and teammates, experimenting with new angles and varying lengths. With Birmingham's dry weather, the Indian team might consider including him in the second Test.
Kuldeep's physical condition appears optimal, and his bowling rhythm is evident from his net sessions, starting from the pre-match sessions in Leeds before the series opener. He had an engaging contest with Gill before the first Test and continues to relish his battles with Indian batsmen in Birmingham.
Kuldeep has dedicated considerable time to refine his batting skills under the supervision of head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. Over the past 18 months, he has been committed to improving his batting and aims to make significant contributions with the bat.
After two days of practice, the team will take a break before regrouping on June 30. The bowlers can rest, and bowling coach Morne Morkel can continue his lighthearted wrestling sessions with Arshdeep and Akash Deep at the team hotel. Regarding Bumrah, the uncertainty remains for at least the next 48 hours.
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