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The Shubman Gill-led Team India will hope to bounce back in the series as they take the field in the second Test, which is scheduled to be played from July 2 to 6 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. It is to be noted that England are currently 1-0 up in the series after they defeated India by five wickets in the opening Test at Headingley, Leeds, courtesy a 149-run knock from Ben Duckett and fifty-plus scores from Zak Crawley (65) and Joe Root (53*).
While the Indian team will hope to come out as a unit in the second Test, hoping to level it in Birmingham before moving further, they were seen practising using two coloured balls. However, the bowlers will have a tough task with Jasprit Bumrah’s participation still under clouds, in order to step up after failing to restrict the English side in the first Test, to hone their skills, the Indian side was spotted using the special balls ahead of the second Test.
Why Indian pacers used two-coloured balls? Ryan ten Doeschate reveals
As the bowlers were seen refining their skills ahead of the Edgbaston Test, they used two-coloured balls. Notably, the technique aims to eliminate the undesirable habits acquired in the extensive white-ball season. As the Indian team was seen coming after a white-ball season, which included the Champions Trophy, IPL 2025, the team management opted to bring the two-coloured ball technique.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Team India’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, when inquired of the new technique, explained, "It's not a new thing. All the ball manufacturers make those balls. We talk about detoxing the bowlers, just getting the very basics right. And that's the easiest way to give you an indication.”
“Guys have come out of a long IPL season and the filthy habits of that cricket. We don't want that creeping into Test cricket. So Morne (Morkel) and the bowlers just use that tool just to make sure the basic fundamentals are in place. We've been using it for the last two weeks," he further added.
What is a two-coloured ball?
A two-coloured ball is a mix of both white and red balls and as stated above, it is made by all ball manufacturers. While the ball is polished red on one side, it is white on the other and helps bowlers focus on their line and length while transitioning between formats.
