Team India bowling coach Morne Morkel said that he was ‘blown away’ by Jasprit Bumrah’s rhythm during the team’s practice sessions ahead of the first Test of the England series. However, Bumrah had a great series in Australia at the end of last year, but couldn’t play more after suffering a back injury that kept him out of the final day of the series in Sydney as well.

However, it was an injury setback that ruled him out of the Champions Trophy as well. However, he returned to competitive cricket only at the recently concluded IPL, where he had to bowl just four overs only in a game. And, Head coach Gautam Gambhir revealed that he would play only three Tests on the England tour as well.

“Bumrah knows how to get himself ready, he knows how to prepare,” Morne Morkel said on Wednesday. “I was blown away to see the energy on the ball the last three days. That’s very exciting to see. I’m happy his body is in good shape at the moment. We’ll manage him with that. We’ll be smart with him because he’s obviously key for us, but in terms of the first three net sessions, lot to be excited watching him bowl with the Dukes ball.”

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Morkel also said that he was eager to see the ball a lot more in Nitish Kumar Reddy’s hands, if he were picked in England as well.

“The more bowling options we can have, that’s great. He’s skillful. He’s a guy that can bowl that magical ball, so for him it’s about creating that consistency, it’s something we want to work on, it’s important for his game as well. I’ve had conversations with him where I’ve challenged him to bowl a bit more, and I want to see the ball more in his hands. We all know what he can do with the bat. But for a team, if you can have those bowling options, especially in these conditions, I think he’ll be one to be excited and compliment his bowling attack,” he shared.

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Morkel also added that it was important for the team as a whole to adjust as fast as possible, especially with regard to being match fit as well.

“You need to find a way to get up to speed as quick as possible, because that’s going to be a real test. English outfields are quite heavy, the weather conditions are quite cold, so your body can stiffen up. It’s one thing for me, ticking a box, doing well in the nets, but it’s again, it’s that match fitness, that time in the field that we need to, as quick as possible, find a way to get up to speed with,” Morne Morkel concluded.