Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif said that Jasprit Bumrah might not feature in red-ball cricket for long and could even call time on his Test career soon.
Bumrah is facing growing concerns about his fitness. He lately looked a shadow of himself in the ongoing fourth Test against England in Manchester.
Jasprit Bumrah’s dip in pace has sparked alarm bells. The speedster, who regularly clocks around 140 kmph, struggled to even touch that mark at Old Trafford, operating mostly in the 130-135 kmph range. For the first time in his Test career, Bumrah conceded over 100 runs in an innings. This affected India as England ran away with the game on Day 3 of the match.
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Mohammad Kaif Claims Jasprit Bumrah Might Retire from Tests
Sharing his thoughts in a video posted on social media, Kaif didn’t mince words while analysing Bumrah’s fitness, stating that he might retire from Test cricket soon.
"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," said Kaif as quoted in a video shared on X.
Kaif asserted that Bumrah is not someone who will drag his career for the sake of if he is not able to give it his all.
"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," he added.
Pointing to the lack of speed in Bumrah’s bowling, Kaif continued:
"The speed, he is throwing the ball at a speed of 130-135. 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."
Kaif even addressed the possibility of Bumrah's Test retirement because of fitness concerns.
"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."
"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 is sharp, but he has lost to his body," Kaif concluded.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Fitness Concerns
Over the past couple of years, Bumrah has been in and out of the squad due to recurring injuries and his workload has become a subject of constant debate.
After returning from a serious back injury that kept him out of action for months, including the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the pacer has been managed carefully by the team management. Before this series began, it was decided that he would play only three out of the five Tests. Still, the signs in Manchester were hard to ignore.
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