Jasprit Bumrah's Birmingham Nets Session: Mystery Pace and Kuldeep Yadav's All-Round Push for Test Spot

Jasprit Bumrah during the net session. (Pic credit: Sahil Malhotra/TimesofIndia.com)

Birmingham: From the moment he entered the Edgbaston Cricket Ground nets, Jasprit Bumrah exuded focus. After a brief walk, he grabbed a ball and performed his signature shoulder rotation before taking his position at the center net.

He began with a few gentle deliveries to warm up for an intense spell of fast bowling. With each delivery, his pace increased. After ensuring he was loose, the measuring tape was brought out to mark his run-up for a 20-minute burst at full speed. With Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant absent from Saturday's net session, Bumrah bowled to Sai Sudharsan, Ravindra Jadeja, and Karun Nair.

He troubled the batsmen with ease, testing their technique with accuracy and keeping them alert with varying angles – bowling around the wicket for left-handers and utilizing the width of the crease for right-handers. Beyond his skills, his mental freshness was evident. The three-day break from bowling had clearly benefited the 31-year-old, who bowled alongside Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.

The trio, who played in the Headingley Test, refrained from bowling during the team's first practice in Birmingham on Friday but trained purposefully on the second day. Each bowler bowled for approximately thirty minutes before practicing extended hits in the nets.

Siraj practiced leaving, ducking, and forward defense with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, while Bumrah rotated between nets to experience various aspects of the game. From side-arm deliveries to slow bowling and throwdowns, Bumrah maintained unwavering focus during his extended session. He also engaged in shadow practice while awaiting his turn to bat. Despite a shaky start in the farthest net, the right-hander gained confidence after playing a few deliveries and appeared assured before the day concluded.

Business continued as usual in the other nets as Ravindra Jadeja continued to bat, Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep continued to impress, and Kuldeep Yadav focused on both batting and bowling. While the inclusion of Akash or Arshdeep hinges on Bumrah's availability, Kuldeep is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation.

The left-arm wrist-spinner bowled, batted, and sought feedback from the support staff and fellow players. He is open to experimenting with new angles and varying lengths. The dry weather in Birmingham could prompt the Indian team management to consider him for the second Test next week.

Physically, he appears to be in peak condition, and his bowling rhythm is evident from his net sessions, dating back to 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 Yadav spins it tight at Edgbaston

He has dedicated hours to refining his batting under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. For the past 18 months, Kuldeep has been diligently working to improve his batting and is eager to make significant contributions with the bat.

After two days in the sun, the team will now take a break and reconvene on June 30. The bowlers can rest, and bowling coach Morne Morkel can resume his playful wrestling with Arshdeep and Akash Deep at the team hotel. As for Bumrah, the suspense will linger for at least the next 48 hours.