After Jasprit Bumrah failed to turn up at the peak of his powers with the ball in the first innings against England in the Manchester Test, former India batter Mohammed Kaif predicted that the 31-year-old star pacer may just give up on the whites soon.
“According to me, Bumrah may quit Test cricket in the coming times. He is struggling with his body and due to this he may have to retire from Test cricket. His speed was not visible in this match and he is a very self-respecting person. If he feels that he is not able to give 100 percent and is not able to take wickets, then he himself will refuse from playing,” Kaif said in a video posted on social media.
“Whether he gets wickets or not, but he was bowling at the speed of 125-130. In the ball on which he got a wicket, the keeper had to dive forward and catch it,” remarked Kaif.
Bumrah had a promising start to the England tour, but his form appears to have dipped in the fourth Test. During the final session at Manchester, the pacer was seen walking back to the dressing room, prompting speculation about his physical condition. Although bowling coach Morne Morkel stated that Bumrah was not injured, his lack of pace in the match tells a different story. He bowled just one delivery over 140 kph, a rare sight for someone known for regularly hitting those speeds.
