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 to retire from tests? pic.twitter.com/PnMR2y6oEi
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 26, 2025
“There is the same passion and dedication but he has lost fitness. His body isn’t supporting him. His ineffectiveness in the Test is a clear indication, I think, that he could have difficulties in the future. First Virat (Kohli), Rohit (Sharma) and Ashwin left. Now, I think fans should get used to seeing India without Bumrah,” Kaif said further in the video.
Going wicket-less for 23 overs across Days 2 and 3, Bumrah earned his first wicket at Old Trafford at the start of his final spell on Friday, dismissing Jamie Smith caught-behind. Data also revealed that India’s pace superstar did not cross 140 kmph on the speed gun for all but one delivery thus far in the match as opposed to 80 deliveries above 140 in Headingley and 21 at Lord’s.
Bumrah ended the day with figures of 1/80 in 24 overs as England stormed their way to 544 for 7 in 135 overs on the back of Joe Root’s 150. Across his 48-Test career, Bumrah has never conceded 100 runs in an innings, with his most-expensive figures clocked at 4/99 in Australia.
Bumrah also briefly picked up an injury after appearing to injure his ankle while climbing down the stairs from the dressing room. India bowling coach Morne Morkel later addressed the injury concern on Friday.
“Yeah, unfortunately, when we took the second new ball, Booms rolled his ankles going down the stairs. And then Siraj also, I think, rolled his foot in one of the footholds. But they seemed to be okay,” Morkel said in the post-day press conference.
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Unlikely to play the fifth Test at Oval that begins on July 30, Bumrah remains India’s second-highest wicket-taker in the series with 13 scalps, averaging 26.69.
