Punjab Kings (PBKS) spinner Harpreet Brar was recently spotted bowling in the nets during India's practice session at Edgbaston ahead of the second Test against England. This appearance has sparked speculation about a potential late twist in the Indian squad. The second Test is scheduled to begin on July 2.
Brar, known for his left-arm spin and all-round abilities in the IPL, is not part of India's official Test squad for the tour. He was also seen wearing a training outfit different from the team's official kit, suggesting he was invited as a net bowler to assist the team's preparations, rather than being formally included in the squad.
India is currently trailing 0-1 in the five-match series after losing the first Test at Headingley by five wickets. The defeat has put pressure on the Indian bowling attack, with only Jasprit Bumrah's first-innings performance standing out. The rest of the pace attack struggled for control, and Ravindra Jadeja, the lone spin option, managed just one wicket across both innings.
With India looking to level the series, changes to the playing XI are anticipated. There is growing speculation that wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav could be included in the XI for the second Test to add more variation to the bowling attack. Some reports suggest that Bumrah might be rested as part of workload management.
Brar's presence at the practice session has fueled speculation about a potential change in India's spin strategy. Some reports suggest head coach Gautam Gambhir might consider dropping Jadeja for the second Test. Brar's bowling style mirrors Jadeja's, offering control and the ability to exploit spin-friendly conditions at Edgbaston.
However, it is more likely that Brar was present to help the Indian batsmen prepare for spin. The current squad already includes Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja, making the inclusion of a fourth specialist spinner unlikely.
Harpreet Brar has yet to make his First Class debut but has played several List A and T20 matches. He has 19 wickets in List A matches and 87 wickets in T20s.
Despite the buzz, Brar's inclusion in the Test squad seems unlikely unless an injury occurs to one of the existing spinners during the tour.
