Birmingham Nets Offer Clues: Bumrah's Form a Mystery, Kuldeep Yadav Eyes Test Spot

Birmingham was buzzing with anticipation as the Indian team geared up for their next Test match. All eyes were on Jasprit Bumrah as he entered the Edgbaston Cricket Ground nets, radiating focus and determination.

After a brief walk, Bumrah immediately grabbed a ball, performing his signature shoulder rotation. He took his position at the center net, ready to unleash his fiery pace.

He began with a few gentle deliveries, gradually increasing his pace as he warmed up. After getting into his rhythm, he measured his run-up, preparing for an intense 20-minute spell of fast bowling. With several key batsmen like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul taking a break, Bumrah bowled to Sai Sudharsan, Ravindra Jadeja, and Karun Nair.

He consistently challenged the batters, showcasing his accuracy and employing various angles. He bowled around the wicket for left-handers and utilized the crease's width for right-handers. Beyond his technical skill, Bumrah's mental freshness stood out. The three-day break from bowling had clearly rejuvenated the 31-year-old, who bowled alongside Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.

He beat the batters with ease, tested them with accuracy and kept them on their toes with different angles - around the wicket for left-handers and using the width of the crease for the right-handers. More than the skills, it was how he looked mentally very fresh and the three-day break from bowling clearly helped the 31-year-old who was bowling with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna in tandem.

The trio, having played in the Headingley Test, focused on purposeful training on the second day after skipping bowling during the first practice session in Birmingham. Each bowler spent around thirty minutes bowling before practicing their batting in the nets.

Siraj practiced leaving, ducking, and defending forward under the guidance of batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. Bumrah explored various aspects of his game, from side-arm deliveries to slow bowling and throwdowns, demonstrating his unwavering focus. He engaged in shadow practice while waiting 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. Kuldeep Yadav diligently worked on both his batting and bowling. While Akash and Arshdeep's selection depends on Bumrah's availability, Kuldeep is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation.

The left-arm wrist-spinner actively sought feedback from the support staff and teammates. He experimented with new angles and varied lengths, hoping the dry Birmingham weather would favor his inclusion in the second Test.

Kuldeep's efforts extended to his batting, where he spent hours refining his technique under the watchful eyes of head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. For the past 18 months, he has been diligently working to improve his batting and contribute meaningfully to the team's batting performance.

After two days of intense practice, the team will take a break before regrouping. The bowlers can rest, while bowling coach Morne Morkel can continue his lighthearted wrestling sessions with Arshdeep and Akash Deep. As for Bumrah, his participation remains a suspenseful topic, at least for the next 48 hours.