Birmingham, June 28: With India trailing 0-1 in the five-match Test series against England, preparations for the second Test at Edgbaston have begun in earnest. The spotlight in India’s first training session in Birmingham was firmly on Arshdeep Singh, who could be in line for his Test debut.
Arshdeep Singh Trains Under Morkel’s Guidance
The left-arm pacer had an extended session with bowling coach Morne Morkel during Friday’s nets, as reported by The Times of India.
Arshdeep, who has impressed in white-ball formats, is no stranger to English conditions thanks to his County cricket stint.
With Jasprit Bumrah potentially sitting out the second Test to manage his workload, Arshdeep could find himself handed a maiden Test cap.
Bumrah, Krishna Skip Training Despite Presence
Both Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna were at the stadium but did not participate in the training session.
Bumrah has previously stated that he would play only three of the five Tests, depending on how his body reacts.
His absence in training could be an early indication that the Edgbaston Test might not be one of them.
Notably, Bumrah had captained India at this very venue in 2022, where England pulled off a record 378-run chase.
India’s Possible Pace Attack Without Bumrah
If Bumrah does not feature in the second Test, India’s pace options could include:
Mohammed Siraj – 37 Tests; Akash Deep – 7 Tests; Prasidh Krishna – 4 Tests; Arshdeep Singh – Yet to debut
The absence of an experienced spearhead could prompt India to revisit their bowling strategy, especially if the pitch mirrors the dry, flat surface at Headingley.
Tailenders’ Batting Under the Scanner
In addition to Arshdeep’s preparation, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak focused extensively on improving Mohammed Siraj’s batting technique.
The Indian tail had collapsed in both innings at Leeds, undermining the team’s chances of setting or defending strong totals. England skipper Ben Stokes later acknowledged that dismissing India’s lower order cheaply was a game-changing moment in the first Test.
Spinners Could Play Bigger Role at Edgbaston
Given the conditions in Leeds, team management is contemplating playing two spinners at Edgbaston if the pitch again appears dry.
This move could provide India with better control through the middle overs, especially in the absence of their lead pacer.
What’s at Stake
The second Test, starting July 2, is a critical opportunity for India to regain footing in the series.
With England full of momentum and India battling injury concerns and inconsistency, changes in both strategy and personnel appear imminent.
As the series heads to Edgbaston, India finds itself at a crossroads.
The potential debut of Arshdeep Singh could inject fresh energy into the pace department, while a stronger contribution from the tailenders might just prove to be the missing piece in the jigsaw.
With pride and the series on the line, the visitors must rally as a unit—adapt, respond, and above all, fight. (Agencies)
