Jasprit Bumrah's bowling speeds in 4th Test have made experts and fans concerned about his fitness.
Mohammad Kaif, former India batter, thinks Jasprit Bumrah may end his Test career soon. In the current Manchester Test match against England, the top Test bowler has been having some difficulty because of a decline in his speed.
In contrast to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy opening in Headingley, he has been bowling steadily in the 130–135 kmph area. Bumrah constantly turned it up, bowling at 140 kmph in the Leeds and Lord's Tests.
Bumrah dismissed batsman-wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, his only wicket yet in the first innings of the Manchester Test. During the second session of the fourth Test, the 31-year-old was also observed clutching his ankle.
Kaif believes fans may need to prepare for life without Bumrah in the game's longest format. Prior to the start of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, it was announced that the speedster would only play three Tests to minimize his workload.
“Jasprit Bumrah, I don't think you will see him playing in the upcoming test matches. And he might even take retirement. He is struggling with his body. His body has totally given up. His speeds have been on the lower side in the Manchester Test. There is no speed in this Test match.
And he is a selfless person. If he feels that he is not able to give 100 per cent for the country, that he is not able to win the match, that he is not getting the wickets, then he himself will refuse. This is my gut feel,” said Kaif in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter).
Bumrah missed more than three months of competitive cricket due to a back spasm he sustained during the final Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. Due to this injury, he was also unable to attend the Champions Trophy.
As a result, it was decided that Bumrah should only play three Test matches. But during the three games he has played in England so far, his speeds has slowed.
Given that Bumrah may be nearing the end of his Test career, Kaif advised Indian cricket fans to adjust to life without him.
"But the speed, he is throwing the ball at a speed of 130-125. And the wicket he got, the catch that the keeper took, he also caught it by diving. His passion is the same. But he has lost to his body. He has lost his fitness. His body is not supporting him," said Kaif.
“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. First, Virat Kohli went. Then Rohit Sharma went. Ashwin is not there. Now, 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,” he added.
The former Indian batter went on to say that although Bumrah wants to continue because his mind is still sharp, he is losing the vital fight against his own body.
“I pray that my prediction is wrong. But what I saw in this Test match, I feel that he is not enjoying himself. His mind his sharp, but he has lost to his body,” Kaif concluded.
Check here: