Indian Pacers Train with Two-Coloured Balls Ahead of Edgbaston Test: A Strategic Shift in Red-Ball Focus

As India gears up for the second Test against England at Edgbaston, the spotlight has shifted from match predictions and team selections to an intriguing scene from the nets. During the penultimate training session before the crucial clash, the Indian pace attack engaged in an unusual drill—practising with two-coloured balls, a move that raised eyebrows and sparked curiosity.

This wasn’t a gimmick or an experiment. It was a well-thought-out strategy to help India’s seamers recalibrate after months of white-ball cricket. And for those observing closely, the message was clear: India’s fast bowlers mean business.

Why Two-Coloured Balls? A Deeper Purpose
When Indian bowlers picked up the two-coloured balls during practice, they aimed to correct muscle memory, sharpen their wrist positions, and strip away any habits they had picked up from white-ball formats.

White-ball cricket, particularly T20s and ODIs, encourages variations—cross-seam deliveries, cutters, slower balls, and wide yorkers. But Test cricket demands discipline. Bowlers must hit consistent lengths, exploit seam movement, and maintain tight control over swing and reverse swing.

The two-coloured balls—half red, half white—help pacers visually track the seam rotation and release angles. When a bowler delivers such a ball, the spinning pattern offers immediate feedback. If the seam doesn’t rotate perfectly or if the wrist position strays even slightly, the ball’s movement in the air reflects that instantly.

By using these balls, Indian pacers improve their seam control, build muscle memory, and sharpen their red-ball reflexes—all crucial in England, where conditions reward bowlers who maintain accuracy over long spells.

Bumrah Leads the Way
Jasprit Bumrah, who recently returned to Test cricket after an extended injury layoff, took center stage during the session. Holding a two-toned ball, he spent considerable time focusing on wrist position and seam presentation. He didn’t rush through his spell. Instead, he worked through drills meticulously, pausing often to assess his deliveries.

Bumrah understands the demands of red-ball cricket better than most. In England, where overcast skies and green pitches demand relentless accuracy, he knows he must fine-tune every aspect of his game. The two-coloured ball helps him align muscle memory with his natural action—eliminating any residual “white-ball habits.”

He bowled alongside Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar, both of whom also embraced the same training method. With Mohammed Shami out due to injury, the pressure to deliver falls heavily on this core trio. And judging by their intensity during training, they are ready to shoulder that responsibility.

A Habit Born in the English Summer

This wasn’t the first time the Indian pacers used two-coloured balls. In fact, they began this training approach earlier during the English summer, even before the first Test. The team’s bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, introduced the idea to help the bowlers readjust to red-ball demands after months in the IPL and white-ball series.

Ever since then, the pace unit has made these balls a consistent feature in their net sessions. Coaches track the spin axis, wrist angles, and landing consistency with each delivery. Feedback flows quickly, helping bowlers make real-time corrections.

Even young bowlers like Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar—who continue to learn the art of swing bowling—have benefited from this drill. It’s visual. It’s instant. And it works.

Unlearning “Filthy” White-Ball Habits

Switching formats in cricket isn’t just a mental reset. It demands physical reconditioning too. Seamers who bowl wide outside off for death overs must relearn how to bowl tight lines in Test matches. Those who rely on slower balls and knuckleballs must find the discipline to pitch it up, hit the seam, and build pressure.

India’s coaching staff often refer to these “carryover techniques” from white-ball cricket as “filthy habits”—not because they’re bad, but because they hinder red-ball efficiency.

By training with two-toned balls, India’s pace unit actively unlearns those habits. They replace deception with discipline. Variation with consistency.

England Awaits: Why This Matters Now

In that match, dropped catches and missed bowling lengths allowed England to chase down a stiff target with ease. While the batters held their own, the bowling unit failed to deliver under pressure.

And India’s pacers seem determined to make every delivery count.

If Bumrah, Siraj, and Co. consistently hit the right areas and exploit seam movement, India could flip the script quickly. But to do that, they need more than raw talent—they need precision, patience, and purpose. That’s exactly what these two-coloured ball drills aim to instill.

The Bigger Picture: Adapting and Evolving
Cricket keeps evolving. And with it, teams must innovate—not just tactically but also in training methods. India’s use of multi-coloured balls in Test match preparation represents one such innovation. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t make headlines. But it plays a crucial role in sharpening the tools that win matches.

For a team aiming to reclaim the series and challenge England in their own conditions, attention to detail could make all the difference. The willingness to tweak training routines shows India’s intent and adaptability.

It also highlights the leadership of players like Bumrah, who lead by example—not just on match day but in the days leading up to it.

Conclusion: One Ball, Two Colours, Infinite Impact
When Indian pacers walked into the nets holding two-toned balls, they signaled more than just a training preference. They showed their hunger to improve, their readiness to adjust, and their commitment to red-ball cricket’s demanding nature.

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