After watching Jasprit Bumrah in the nets during three training sessions, bowling coach Morne Morkel is thrilled with the fast bowler’s effort and sharpness in the lead-up to the Test series against England.
He describes the fast bowler’s rhythm as “blown away” good. Morkel was keen to emphasize that the team management will be “smart” in controlling Bumrah’s workload over the English summer, although he did commend him for his ability to prepare himself and give high-energy stints even in practice.
After suffering a recurrent back issue, Bumrah has fully recovered and is probably only going to play in three of the five Test matches. Gautam Gambhir, the head coach, had already declared that India’s strategy would put Bumrah’s long-term endurance ahead of immediate rewards.
Bumrah’s physical health and the outcome of the series will both be taken into consideration when making a final decision about which Test matches he will play.
“Bumrah knows how to get himself ready, he knows how to prepare,” Morkel said on Wednesday. “I was blown away to see the energy on the ball the last three days. That’s very exciting to see. I’m happy his body is in good shape at the moment.
“We’ll manage him with that. We’ll be smart with him because he’s obviously key for us, but in terms of the first three net sessions, lot to be excited watching him bowl with the Dukes ball.”
A three-day intra-squad warm-up match is now taking place in Beckenham as India gets ready for the first Test, which is set to start at Headingley in Leeds on June 20.
A major topic of attention in the run-up to the first Test will be the composition of India’s bowling attack. In addition to Bumrah, India’s top pace alternatives include Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep. Their seam-bowling all-rounders are Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Morkel, though, sees promise in Reddy’s raw skills, particularly with the ball.
“The more bowling options we can have, that’s great. He’s skillful. He’s a guy that can bowl that magical ball, so for him it’s about creating that consistency, it’s something we want to work on, it’s important for his game as well,” Morkel said of Reddy. “I’ve had conversations where I’ve challenged him to bowl a bit more.
“I want to see the ball more in his hands, we all know what he can do with the bat. For a team, if we can have the bowling options especially in these conditions, I think he’ll be exciting and can complement this bowling attack.”
Given that England is anticipated to play its aggressive, signature style of cricket, Morkel underlined how crucial it is that India’s bowlers be prepared from the opening ball of the match.
“England – the brand of cricket they play, we need to be on top of our game,” he said. “We can’t afford to find our feet in this series. That’s one of the things that has impressed me so much in the two days, the few sessions we’ve had.
“The guys have stepped up by themselves, they’ve taken the ownership and responsibility, they’ve realised it’s going to be a tough tour. That’s the pleasing thing for us as coaches, to see guys taking that leadership and ownership at practice.”
The series between India and England will begin from 20th June.
