Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes Jasprit Bumrah may retire from Test cricket following the upcoming series between England and India. Kaif believed that Bumrah could accept the invitation due to his incapacity to give his all to the nation.
Kaif’s comments come following Jasprit Bumrah’s recent struggles with fitness and workload management.
The former Indian hitter saw that Bumrah appeared to be over-exerting himself while bowling in the ongoing Manchester Test, despite not looking in the best of shape in terms of fitness.
“I don’t think Jasprit Bumrah will play in the forthcoming Tests. He might even retire. He is having issues with his body. His body has completely given up. His speeds were lower in the Manchester Test. There is no pace in this Test match. He is a selfless individual. If he believes he is unable to give his all for the country, that he is unable to win the game, or that he is not getting enough wickets, he will refuse. “This is my gut feeling,” Kaif stated in a video posted on X.
He also delivered a strong warning to the Indian cricket community to prepare for life without Bumrah in the red ball format.
“He is throwing the ball at a speed of 125-130 kph. His passion is the same. But he has lost to his body. He has lost to his fitness. His body is not supporting him. His failure in this Test match clearly shows that I feel there will be problems in the Test matches. You may not see him playing. Without Bumrah, get used to it, Indian fans. I feel that you will have to get used to watching Test matches without him as well,” added Kaif.
Bumrah was not quite at the best of his abilities in the ongoing clash against England. The frontline pacer’s speeds had considerably dropped from his spells earlier in the series. He was spotted clocking in the 130-135 kph mark for most of the overs he bowled on Day 3. There was also this one instance when he hobbled off the field after bowling just one over with the second new ball.
If England do not get bowled out soon or declare on the fourth day, it will mark the first occurrence of Bumrah conceding 100 runs in an innings in Test cricket. India trail the hosts by 186 runs ahead of the commencement of the penultimate day’s play.
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