Ahead of the match, a familiar face was seen in India’s net session, sparking speculation about a potential last-minute addition to the squad.
India Begin Preparations for Must-Win Edgbaston Test Amid Selection Buzz
After suffering a five-wicket defeat in the series opener at Leeds, India now face a do-or-die battle in the second Test at Edgbaston, starting July 2. With the five-match series against England delicately poised, the outcome of the Birmingham encounter is expected to shape the tone for the remainder of the tour. India have already begun preparations, with head coach Gautam Gambhir exploring all available options before finalizing changes to the playing XI—particularly monitoring the fitness and availability of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
Amid training on Saturday in Birmingham, a familiar but unexpected face was spotted in the Indian nets—left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar. His presence immediately sparked speculation about a possible late addition to the squad, especially after Harshit Rana was added as the 19th member ahead of the Leeds Test. Brar, who plays for Punjab Kings and has yet to debut internationally, was seen bowling alongside Washington Sundar.
However, Brar wasn’t wearing India’s official training kit, a clear sign that he was only present as a net bowler to help the Indian batters prepare. His involvement appears to be logistical support rather than a formal squad inclusion, as India continue fine-tuning their strategy for a must-win Test.
Brar paaji's left arm magic in #TeamIndia's camp! 👀🪄#ENGvIND #PunjabKingspic.twitter.com/72VM9qEQXe
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) June 28, 2025
Brar’s Inclusion Unlikely as Pace Expected to Dominate at Edgbaston
The inclusion of Harpreet Brar in India’s squad would appear far-fetched, considering the team already features three spin-bowling options—Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar as all-rounders, and Kuldeep Yadav as the specialist spinner. Unless there’s an injury concern within the spin department, the growing buzz around Brar’s presence seems misplaced.
However, his selection might hint at the team management’s anticipation of specific conditions at Edgbaston during the second Test. Historically, though, the ground has heavily favoured pace. In the last 10 matches at the venue, seamers have taken 230 of the 289 wickets—nearly 80 percent. This trend is likely to persist, particularly with England considering the inclusion of Jofra Archer in their XI.