With India trailing 0-1 in the five-match Test series, all eyes turned to Edgbaston on Monday as the visitors underwent an intense training session. Among the most striking sights was Mohammed Siraj, bowling with purpose and precision in what could be a defining game for him. With Jasprit Bumrah likely to be rested for workload management, Siraj is expected to lead the pace attack in the second Test starting July 2.
Siraj gives great signs before 2nd Test
Siraj, who was largely ineffective in the Headingley defeat, looked a different bowler in the nets, cracking the corridor of uncertainty with relentless discipline. According to RevSports, over a 45-minute spell, he beat the bat repeatedly, troubling every batter, including captain Shubman Gill.
With short strides, controlled aggression, and clinical seam movement, Siraj appeared mentally locked in. The absence of Bumrah may be a setback, but Siraj’s intensity suggested he’s ready to shoulder the responsibility of spearheading India in a crucial game.
Gill faces tough questions in nets
In contrast, skipper Shubman Gill had a mixed outing. After his career-best 147 in the first innings at Headingley, Gill struggled in the second and now faces the challenge of finding consistency as both a batter and captain. As per RevSportz, during the pace net session, Gill looked unsettled against Siraj, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna. He played fluently off the back foot but was repeatedly beaten outside off-stump, prompting discussions with Siraj and batting coach Shitanshu Kotak.
In the spin nets, Kuldeep Yadav twice exposed Gill’s indecision, beating him once to hit the stumps and inducing an edge on another. Still, Gill stayed back after the scheduled session, continuing to work on his game.
