According to former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif, persistent injuries and the fear of new ones mean that pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah is no longer enjoying Test cricket.
Kaif believes that the red-ball career of Bumrah is nearing its end. The former Indian cricketer feels the star pacer may soon bid farewell to Test cricket and has explained the reasons behind this concern.
Bumrah has suffered several injuries over time, the latest being during India’s tour of Australia. That injury forced him off the field for over three months and ruled him out of the Champions Trophy, which India went on to win.
Since then, India have been very cautious with Bumrah. Ahead of the ongoing England tour, the team management had already indicated plans to rest him for some matches. It was suggested he would play only three out of the five Tests in the series.
Accordingly, Bumrah was rested for the second Test after playing the first in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. However, due to injuries among other pacers, he was called back for the next two matches.
While Bumrah took five wickets in each of the first innings at Headingley and Lord’s, he couldn’t find his rhythm at Old Trafford. There, in England’s first innings, he managed only two wickets while conceding 112 runs in 33 overs. It was the first time in his Test career that he gave away over 100 runs in an innings.
Kaif feels Bumrah is struggling to regain his previous form and lacks the sharpness in his bowling. It seems like he is fighting just to maintain his fitness. On social media platform X, Kaif shared a video expressing strong doubts that Bumrah will continue playing Tests for much longer.
“Jasprit Bumrah, I don’t think we will see him play in the upcoming matches. He may even retire. He’s struggling with his body. His pace has dropped in the Manchester Test. His bowling lacked any real speed in this Test.”
“He’s a selfless person. If he feels he can’t give his 100% for the country, can’t help the team win, can’t take wickets, then he will step aside on his own. That’s my belief.”
Kaif, who has played 13 Tests and 125 ODIs, advises Indian fans to get accustomed to watching Test cricket without Bumrah — just as they have with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin.
“He bowls at 130-125 kmph. And even the wickets he has taken, the keeper had to dive to catch. His hunger is still there. But his body has betrayed him. Fitness has beaten him. His body isn’t cooperating.”
“His failure in this match clearly shows that he may struggle to play Tests anymore. We might not see him play again. First Kohli left, then Rohit Sharma bid goodbye, Ashwin is also not around. Now fans must get used to watching Test cricket without Bumrah. I think you all will have to get accustomed to that.”
Still, Kaif hopes his fears turn out to be wrong.
“I pray I’m mistaken. But based on what I saw in this match, it seems he’s no longer enjoying his cricket. His mindset is fine, but his body has let him down.”
