The Indian cricket team's training session in Birmingham ahead of the second Test against England saw a surprising addition in the form of Punjab Kings' left-arm spinner, Harpreet Brar. Brar's presence at the nets sparked curiosity and speculation, especially after India's defeat in the first Test. It has been revealed that Brar's appearance was at the behest of India's captain, Shubman Gill.

Brar, who impressed in the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) season, was spotted bowling to the Indian batsmen during their practice session. Dressed in non-official training gear, it became clear that he was present to assist the team as a net bowler. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video of Brar at the session, where he explained that he was in Swindon, where his wife is from, when he received a text message from Gill, inviting him to join the team's training in Birmingham.

Gill's initiative to bring in Brar highlights the team's focus on preparing for the challenges posed by the English conditions and the need to bounce back after their loss in the first Test. India trails 0-1 in the five-match series and faces a crucial task in the second Test at Edgbaston, a venue where they have historically struggled.

Besides Brar, young Chandigarh pacer Jagjit Singh Sandhu also joined the India nets as a guest bowler, signaling the team's intention to intensify their training. Sandhu has connections with several members of the Indian team, including Arshdeep Singh, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Akash Deep, and Washington Sundar, from their junior cricket days. He mentioned guiding Arshdeep during his U-16 days and how Arshdeep still seeks his advice on his bowling.

The presence of these guest bowlers suggests that the team is leaving no stone unturned in their preparation for the crucial Test match. The Indian bowling attack came under scrutiny after the first Test, where Jasprit Bumrah's five-wicket haul in the first innings was overshadowed by England's successful chase of a massive 371-run target. The rest of the pace attack lacked consistency, and Ravindra Jadeja, the lone spinner, managed just one wicket across both innings.

With the series on the line, India will be aiming to address their bowling concerns and come back strongly in the second Test. The inclusion of Brar and Sandhu in the training session indicates a proactive approach towards strengthening their preparation and exploring different options.