Morne Morkel’s comment regarding Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness has sparked fresh confidence in the Indian camp ahead of the England Test series. After recovering from a back injury, Bumrah returned to training with impressive rhythm and intensity. Morkel praised his sharp form in the nets, calling it a positive sign for India’s pace attack.
“Bumrah knows how to prepare. I was blown away to see the energy on the ball over the last three days,” Morkel said. “I’m happy his body is in good shape at the moment.” The coach also emphasized the need to manage Bumrah wisely throughout the series, aligning with head coach Gautam Gambhir’s plans to play him in only three Tests.
After a standout performance in Australia, Bumrah then missed action due to injury before returning to the squad. He recently made a brief appearance in the IPL. Now, with renewed focus, he looks ready for red-ball cricket again. Morkel thinks Bumrah is crucial to India’s game plan, especially in England, where having control and consistency is key.
Meanwhile, another key focus for India is the all-around development of Nitish Reddy. The youngster showed promise with a century in Australia but contributed only 44 overs with the ball across five Tests. In contrast, Bumrah and Siraj bore the brunt of the workload, each delivering over 150 overs.
Morkel is eager to see some changes. “Nitish has got the skills. He’s the kind of player who can deliver that special ball. I’ve talked to him and pushed him to bowl more,” he shared. “We all recognize his batting talent, but if he can find that consistency with his bowling, he’ll become a major asset, especially in these conditions.”
Morkel also stressed the importance of building match fitness, as performing well in the nets is only the beginning. They must adapt quickly. The heavy English outfields and cold weather often cause stiffness. India will begin their preparations with an intra-squad game from June 13 to 16 at Beckenham before heading to Leeds for the first Test starting June 20.
With Bumrah making a strong comeback and some fresh talent stepping up, India’s pace attack looks strong as they head into the England Test series. A smart rotation and balanced efforts from all the pacers will be crucial in tackling the challenges that lie ahead.
