Courtesy: BCCI/Google
Legendary Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar feels Jasprit Bumrah should retire from Test cricket to extend his career. The former fast bowler cited Bumrah's lack of impact in the home Tests against New Zealand - three wickets in four innings on largely turning surfaces - and suggested that he would need to risk injury and improve his pace to continue taking Test wickets. Akhtar further stated that Bumrah needs to find a touch of extra pace if he wants to keep going with the red ball.
Jasprit Bumrah is the world's top Test bowler, with a generational sub-20 average afte taking 185 wickets. He reached new heights after recovering from a significant back ailment in mid-2023, but since then, his workload has been closely monitored by the BCCI. Bumrah was seen clutching his hamstring briefly during the second Test, but he quickly recovered and completed his spell. However, Akhtar has expressed his worry about Bumrah's workload and potential physical issues.
If I was him, I would stick to shorter formats: Shoaib Akhtar
While speaking on The Nakash Khan Show podcast, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar said, “Very good fast bowler for shorter formats and one-dayers, because he understands the length. I think he does a great job in death overs, in powerplay and he can swing the ball both ways. But you know, in Test cricket, you have to bowl longer spells. You need pace because the batters aren’t trying to hit you.”
“Length becomes irrelevant. You struggle if the ball doesn’t seam or reverse along with that lack of pace. When you start struggling, then people start questioning. If I was Jasprit Bumrah, I'd stick to shorter formats. It only depends on how I feel," he added.
Bumrah currently leads the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with 185 Test wickets in 42 matches, and only one other player has more Test wickets at a higher average than the Indian seamer. Akhtar acknowledged that Bumrah has the potential to be a top-tier seamer, but he also stated that his fitness issues may hinder him from having a long Test career. In the 3rd Test of BGT, Bumrah bowled a wicketless spell of six overs - three maidens and eight runs - on a rain-soaked day at the Gabba. Australia finished the day after 13.2 overs at 28/0 in Brisbane.
