Bumrah's Return to Nets Boosts India's Bowling Focus Ahead of Edgbaston Test

Bumrah Back in Action as India Intensifies Bowling Drills for Edgbaston Test

Jasprit Bumrah made a notable return to training on Saturday, shifting the focus of Team India's preparations for the Edgbaston Test squarely onto bowling. His presence at the nets, following his absence from Friday’s opening session, has sparked considerable interest, especially given the lingering uncertainty surrounding his participation in the second Test against England.

After suffering a five-wicket defeat at Headingley, which put them 0-1 down in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, the Indian squad commenced their preparations on Friday. While the entire squad was present for practice, Bumrah and fellow pacer Prasidh Krishna were not involved in active drills, leading to speculation about their readiness for the Birmingham Test.

Saturday's session, however, provided a significant boost to India’s pace attack. Bumrah, Prasidh, and Mohammed Siraj were all seen bowling at the nets, with Siraj also continuing his batting practice from Day 1. Their return injected renewed vigor into India’s preparations as the team aims to rebound strongly in Birmingham.

Among the batsmen, Sai Sudharsan, who debuted in the Headingley Test, was the first to practice in the nets on Day 2. Notably absent from Saturday’s training were captain Shubman Gill, vice-captain Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. All four had engaged in extensive batting practice on Friday, with Gill and Pant spending considerable time in the nets.

While Bumrah’s return is a positive indication, his inclusion in the Edgbaston XI remains uncertain. The 31-year-old bowled 44 demanding overs in the series opener and is scheduled to play in only three of the five Tests as part of a workload management strategy. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, following the Headingley defeat, reiterated that the decision regarding Bumrah’s participation will be made on a match-by-match basis, regardless of the series situation.

With bowling now taking center stage in India's practice sessions, the team is hopeful that their key bowlers will be fully prepared as they seek to level the series at Edgbaston.