Bumrah Back in Action as India Looks to Solidify Lower-Order Ahead of Second Test

Jasprit Bumrah resumed full bowling during India's optional nets session on Saturday and took about half an hour to bowl with vigor in the nets. This was Team India's big moment as fans and commentators are eagerly looking forward to knowing if Bumrah will be included in the playing XI for the coming second Test at Edgbaston. Although he did not bowl on Friday during the previous session the fast bowler was in rhythm on Saturday and bowled with full effort. But the call on whether he plays in the second Test will be made when the team sees how his body performs leading up to the game. His fitness level and how at ease he is physically will determine if he plays or is kept in reserve for a future game.

The optional training session had most of the Indian team turning out except the lead batters who had scored centuries during the first Test. Captain Shubman Gill vice-captain Rishabh Pant and the openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal didn't participate in this session. They must have been given rest as they had long periods at the crease in the previous match. This left the remaining team to utilize the nets at full capacity with a special emphasis on enhancing their batting particularly the bowlers.

India's lower-order batting has come under the fire after dismal collapses in both innings of the Leeds Test. In the first innings, India lost 7 wickets for a mere 41 runs and in the second innings they lost 6 for 31. The last four partnerships in both the innings had mustered only 18 and 29 runs respectively. These figures are quite concerning especially when compared to the kind of resistance home teams usually show from their lower order. In fact during their previous tours of England India’s lower order did not perform well either. In 2021 the team's average of their past four alliances was mere 19.11 and it was even lesser at 16.35 in 2018. This is what the team management wants to rectify before the next game.

The coaching staff focused on giving plenty of batting practice to bowlers on Saturday. The thought process is to make them spend more time at the crease and get those additional 20 or 30 runs which tend to prove the difference in close matches. One of the big reasons why home sides tend to get better from their tailenders is that they know more about local conditions of the pitches and also encounter touring bowlers who tend to tire as the match wears on. For India to perform improved in such away games they will require their bowlers to contribute with helpful runs.

The potential comeback of Jasprit Bumrah is also a huge point of discussion. In the event that India were behind in the series his return could serve as an immense boost. He possesses wicket-taking skills as well as leadership for the bowling department. The workload will be closely monitored by the team and it's possible that the medical team and the support staff will have a say in his playing or not playing. His performance in the nets has been good but it remains to be seen if he will be among the eleven at Edgbaston.

As for India, their preparation schedule has been put in place carefully. The squad will have a rest on Sunday to relax and recover before they go back for a full session on Monday. That session will be a crucial part of leading up to the second Test. The fast bowlers who are likely to play in the Test will probably rest on Tuesday but only those batters who require extra throwdowns and practice might be present at the session. On the day before the match the team would probably keep it light and refrain from any heavy workload.

The management is also cognizant that Test matches these days are usually decided by thin lines. With collapses during batting like those at Leeds India has come to appreciate the importance of lower-order contributions. India has done well abroad in recent times not only on the back of top-order scores but also thanks to lower-order grit and tight bowling. The ongoing series requires such dedication particularly when it is to be played on foreign soil where one spell of bowling or one fifty-plus partnership can swing the match.

The camp's mood seems to be intense. Players such as Prasidh Krishna who had a poor outing in the previous game are said to be keen to recover and rectify. The whole team seems to be united in trying to play more comprehensive cricket across all departments. While entering into the pivotal second Test the focus will be on fighting in every session with bat ball or in the field.

With Bumrah slowly building up his workload and the bowlers getting attention not only for their primary role but also for batting the Indian team is making an effort to leave no stone unturned. The objective is very clear. To return stronger and make the series competitive. Every run and every spell will count and India is ensuring its players are prepared on all fronts.