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India‘s premier pace bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, is once again at the center of a swirling debate surrounding his long-term fitness and Test cricket career. Following a visibly subdued performance and a mid-spell exit during the ongoing fourth Test against England in Manchester, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has articulated grave concerns, even going so far as to suggest that Bumrah might consider retiring from the longest format of the game.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Test future under cloud as Mohammad Kaif fears retirement
Kaif’s apprehension stems from observing what he perceives as persistent physical struggles and a noticeable dip in pace, raising serious questions about Bumrah’s ability to withstand the demanding rigors of Test cricket. This speculation casts a shadow over the immediate future of India’s ace fast bowler, especially amidst a broader period of transition for the national team.
“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,” Kaif said in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter).
During the final session of Day 3, Bumrah was briefly seen walking off the field, clutching his left ankle after a stumble on the stairs, although bowling coach Morne Morkel later downplayed it as non-injury related. Despite this, Bumrah bowled only one delivery over 140 kph in the entire match, a rare sight for a bowler known for his searing speed. In the ongoing Manchester Test, Bumrah’s figures of 1/95 from 28 overs, with his sole wicket being Jamie Smith, further solidified concerns about his effectiveness.
Kaif on Bumrah: ” Passion is the same but lost to his fitness”
Kaif pointed to a significant and concerning drop in Bumrah’s bowling speeds, noting that he was largely operating in the 130-135 kmph range, occasionally even dipping to 125-130 kmph, a marked contrast to the consistent 140 kmph-plus pace he showcased earlier in the series. He believes this dramatic pronouncement frames Bumrah’s potential Test retirement within the context of a significant generational shift in Indian cricket, following the recent transitions of stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin.
“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 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. 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,” Kaif articulated his fear.
Kaif further expressed hope that his ‘prediction comes out wrong,’ but stressed that ‘what I saw is what I’m speaking of,’. The discussion around Bumrah’s workload has been ongoing, with India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir having already planned to limit his appearances to just three matches in this five-Test series against England.
Bumrah to retire from tests? pic.twitter.com/PnMR2y6oEi
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 26, 2025
