Jasprit Bumrah's Fitness in Focus as India Prep for Second Test; Kuldeep Yadav Eyes Comeback

Jasprit Bumrah made a powerful statement during his net session at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. From the moment he entered the area, his focus was unmistakable. His trademark bowling action was on full display as he geared up for an intense spell of fast bowling.

After a gentle warm-up, Bumrah increased his pace, using the measuring tape to mark his run-up for a focused 20-minute burst. With several key batsmen taking a break, he bowled to Sai Sudharsan, Ravindra Jadeja, and Karun Nair.

He challenged the batters with accuracy and varied his angles, bowling around the wicket to left-handers and using the crease's width for right-handers. His mental freshness was evident, suggesting that the three-day break had rejuvenated the 31-year-old. He bowled alongside Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, forming a potent pace attack in the nets.

The trio that played in the Headingley Test actively participated in the second day of practice in Birmingham after refraining from bowling on the first day. Each bowler spent approximately thirty minutes bowling before practicing their batting skills in the nets.

Siraj concentrated on leaves, ducks, and forward defenses with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, while Bumrah explored different bowling styles, including side-armers, slow bowling, and throwdowns. He also engaged in shadow practice while waiting for his turn to bat, gradually gaining confidence as the day progressed.

Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja continued batting, and Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep aimed to leave an impression. Kuldeep Yadav dedicated himself to both batting and bowling. While the selection of Akash or Arshdeep hinges on Bumrah's availability, Kuldeep is leaving no area of preparation untouched.

The left-arm wrist-spinner actively sought feedback from the support staff and teammates. He experimented with new angles and varied lengths, potentially positioning himself for selection in the second Test, given the dry conditions in Birmingham.

Kuldeep has been diligently working on his batting under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. Over the past 18 months, he has been committed to improving his batting and is eager to make significant contributions with the bat.

Following two days of practice, the team will take a break before regrouping on June 30. The bowlers will have an opportunity to rest, and bowling coach Morne Morkel can continue his training sessions with Arshdeep and Akash Deep at the team hotel. The suspense surrounding Bumrah's participation will persist for at least the next 48 hours.