With the one-off Test against Afghanistan scheduled to begin on June 6 in Mullanpur, Team India has started intensive preparations. To ensure quality match simulation during training sessions, the management has called up six domestic bowlers as net bowlers. The group includes pacers Auqib Nabi, Prince Yadav and Gurjapneet Singh, along with spinners Saransh Jain, Zeeshan Anari and Shivang Kumar.
The selection of these bowlers highlights India’s effort to provide batters exposure to different styles and conditions before the Test match.
Auqib Nabi’s Consistency Earns National Recognition
The biggest talking point among the selected bowlers is Auqib Nabi. Although Auqib Nabi missed out on a place in the main squad, his performances in domestic cricket have not gone unnoticed.
The Jammu & Kashmir pacer has developed a reputation for bowling disciplined spells with the red ball. His ability to swing the ball and maintain pressure has made him one of the promising fast bowlers in the domestic circuit. Being invited to train with the Indian team is another important step in his cricketing journey.
For a bowler who was close to national selection, this opportunity could prove crucial in catching the selectors’ attention ahead of future tours.
Prince Yadav and Gurjapaneet Singh Continue Their Rise
Young fast bowler Prince Yadav has enjoyed a rapid rise in Indian cricket. His performances in domestic tournaments and franchise cricket have impressed many experts. The right-arm pacer has shown the ability to generate pace while also contributing in crucial situations.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu’s Gurjapneet Singh brings a different challenge. The left-arm fast bowler has emerged as one of the exciting seam prospects in domestic cricket. His ability to create awkward angles for right-handed batters makes him a valuable asset in practice sessions.
Having both right-arm and left-arm pace options allows Indian batters to prepare for multiple bowling variations.
Saransh Jain Leads an Experienced Spin UnitÂ
Among the spin bowlers, Saransh Jain arrives with the strongest first-class record. The Madhya Pradesh off spinner has claimed 181 wickets in just 52 first-class matches, an impressive average of nearly 3.5 wickets per match. His experience and ability to bowl long spells make him an ideal net bowler for Test preparations.
Zeeshan Ansari adds the leg-spin option, while Shivang Kumar provides left-arm wrist spin. Both bowlers are known for possessing variations, including the wrong’un, which can challenge even experienced batters.
The trio ensures that Indian players can prepare against every major spin-bowling style before the Afghanistan clash.
A Valuable Opportunity for Future India Aspirants
While their primary responsibility is helping team India prepare, this camp is also an audition for the future. Several Indian cricketers have previously used net-bowler assignments as stepping stones to international cricket.
For Auqib Nabi, Prince Yadav, Gurjapneet Singh, Saransh Jain, Zeeshan Ansari and Shivang Kumar, sharing the dressing room environment with international stars offers priceless learning opportunities. Their performance in the nets could influence future selection discussions.
As India gear up for the Afghanistan Test, these six bowlers may not be in the playing XI, but their contribution behind the scenes could play an important role in the team’s success.
Also Read:Â IND vs AFG: Sairaj Bahutule Appointed Spin Bowling Coach