WATCH, ENG vs IND | Morkel invokes inner WWE star to take down Arshdeep in unique training-ending technique

‌India's five-Test tour of England began on a disappointing note in Leeds after the visitors failed to defend 378 on a Day 5 track and went down fighting by five-wickets. While marquee pacer Jasprit Bumrah surprisingly went wicketless in the fourth innings, the other three pacers Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj had their moments but were never consistent enough to create sufficient pressure on the opposition. Their performance thus might have opened the door for a Test debut for Arshdeep Singh at Edgbaston with the left-arm pacer receiving a maiden call-up for the tour and already boasting County experience. The 26-year-old has certainly been in high spirits during his travel with the national side, as has been evident through his social media updates, and in bowling coach Morne Morkel the 26-year-old has seemingly found a fitting companion for his shenanigans.

In a recent video posted by the BCCI, Akash Deep and Arshdeep are seen sitting next to Morne before the Proteas suddenly lunges on the latter and traps him between his legs, followed by an illusory elbow to the mid-riff. Morne then goes on to tower over the Punjab quick against some resistance from Arshdeep, who throughout beams a wide smile. However, the pretend-fight was far from over, as Arshdeep and Akash quickly exchanged glances before taking down the tall South African in tandem amidst much giggles.

Arshdeep explained in the video that the sequence was Morne's latest technique to call an end to training for the day, the duo ensuring spirits remain high in the Indian camp on what is set to be a tough two months in England.