Jasprit Bumrah's Form and Kuldeep Yadav's Drive: Key Takeaways from India's Birmingham Nets Session

Jasprit Bumrah intensely practices his bowling technique.

Birmingham buzzed with anticipation as the Indian team geared up for the upcoming Test match. All eyes were on Jasprit Bumrah as he entered the Edgbaston Cricket Ground nets, radiating sheer focus. He wasted no time, immediately grabbing a ball and launching into his signature shoulder-clicking warm-up routine before taking his mark at the center net.

After a few gentle warm-up deliveries, Bumrah gradually increased his pace, finding his rhythm for an intense 20-minute spell of fast bowling. With several key batsmen like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul taking a break, Bumrah honed his skills against Sai Sudharsan, Ravindra Jadeja, and Karun Nair.

He challenged the batters with precision and cleverly employed various angles, bowling around the wicket to left-handers and utilizing the crease's width against right-handers. Beyond his technical prowess, Bumrah's fresh mental state was evident, a result of the three-day break from bowling. He practiced alongside Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, forming a formidable pace trio.

The trio, who had previously featured in the Headingley Test, focused their energy on the second day of practice in Birmingham. Each bowler dedicated roughly thirty minutes to bowling before transitioning to batting practice in the nets.

Siraj practiced his defensive techniques with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, while Bumrah explored different facets of his game across various nets. He faced side-armers, slow bowlers, and even throwdowns, maintaining unwavering focus throughout the lengthy session. He also engaged in shadow practice while awaiting his turn to bat, demonstrating growing confidence as the day progressed.

Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja continued his batting practice in adjacent nets, and Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep continued to impress with their bowling. While Akash or Arshdeep's inclusion in the team hinges on Bumrah's availability, Kuldeep Yadav is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation.

Kuldeep Yadav diligently practices his bowling technique.

The left-arm wrist-spinner dedicated himself to both bowling and batting, actively seeking feedback from support staff and teammates. Kuldeep demonstrated a willingness to experiment with new angles and vary his lengths. Given the dry conditions in Birmingham, the Indian team management might consider including him in the second Test next week.

Kuldeep's physical condition appears excellent, and his bowling rhythm has been consistently strong since the pre-match sessions in Leeds. He engaged in a compelling contest with Gill before the first Test and continues to relish his battles with Indian batters in Birmingham.

Kuldeep has also dedicated considerable time to refining his batting skills under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. Over the past 18 months, he has diligently worked to improve his batting and aims to make meaningful contributions with the bat for the team.

After two days of intense practice, the team took a break before regrouping. The bowlers enjoyed some relaxation, while bowling coach Morne Morkel could resume his playful wrestling sessions with Arshdeep and Akash Deep. As for Bumrah's situation, the suspense remains for at least the next 48 hours.