Bumrah Returns to Nets as India Steps Up Bowling Practice Ahead of Edgbaston Test

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

Jasprit Bumrah made a return to training on Saturday, shifting the focus to bowling as Team India continued its preparations for the Edgbaston Test.

Bumrah's presence in the nets was closely watched, especially given the lingering doubts about his availability for the second Test against England. He had skipped Friday's opening session.

Following a five-wicket defeat at Headingley, which put them 0-1 down in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, India commenced preparations on Friday. While the entire squad participated in practice, Bumrah and fellow pacer Prasidh Krishna were absent from active drills, raising questions about their readiness for the Birmingham Test.

Saturday brought positive news for India's pace attack as Bumrah, Prasidh, and Mohammed Siraj all bowled in the nets. Siraj also continued his batting practice from Day 1. Their return brought renewed intensity to India’s preparations as the team aims to recover in Birmingham.

Among the batters, 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 batted extensively on Friday, with Gill and Pant spending considerable time in the nets.

While Bumrah's return is encouraging, his inclusion in the Edgbaston XI remains uncertain. The 31-year-old bowled 44 overs in the series opener and is scheduled to participate in only three of the five Tests as part of a workload management strategy. Head coach Gautam Gambhir stated after the Headingley loss that the decision on Bumrah’s participation will be made on a match-to-match basis, regardless of the series situation.

With bowling now a central focus of India's practice, the team hopes its key bowlers will be ready for battle as they seek to level the series at Edgbaston.