Following a disappointing defeat in the first Test against England at Headingley, the Indian cricket team has commenced preparations for the crucial second Test in Edgbaston, Birmingham. The loss exposed vulnerabilities, particularly in the lower order's batting resilience, prompting a visible shift in focus during the team's net sessions. Mohammed Siraj's extended batting practice has caught the eye, hinting at a strategic adjustment influenced by head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During the practice session, Mohammed Siraj spent a significant amount of time honing his batting skills, a departure from his usual focus on bowling. He was observed working diligently on his defensive technique, practicing how to duck under short balls, leave deliveries outside off, and play soft-handed forward defenses. This concentrated effort suggests a clear message from the team management emphasizing the importance of tail-end resistance, especially after the lower order collapses in both innings of the first Test. In the first Test, India's lower order crumbled under pressure, losing a combined 13 wickets for a mere 72 runs.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir, known for his no-nonsense approach, has been vocal about the significance of every run in Test cricket. While he hasn't publicly criticized the tail's performance, the emphasis on Siraj's batting is a strong indication of an internal course correction. Gambhir was also spotted having lengthy discussions with pacers Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep.

This renewed emphasis on Siraj's batting isn't entirely out of the blue. In the past, Bharat Arun, the former India bowling coach, had advised Mohammed Siraj to become India's frontline bowler and to carry his good form for the Test series against England. Moreover, Team India seems to value bowlers who can contribute with the bat. With Shardul Thakur already offering that cushion, Siraj adding a few useful runs could frustrate the opposition.

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah's workload management is also a key consideration. Bumrah bowled the most overs by an Indian pacer in the Headingley Test. There are reports that Bumrah may be rested for the second Test.

India will take on England in the second Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Wednesday, July 2.

The unusual sight of Mohammed Siraj dedicating significant time to batting practice, combined with Gautam Gambhir's known emphasis on fighting for every run, suggests a strategic imperative: to fortify the lower order and extract every possible run. This proactive approach could inject much-needed resilience into the team's batting lineup and potentially shift the momentum in the upcoming Test at Edgbaston.