• Source:JND
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England vs India 4th Test: Jasprit Bumrah might be the best fast bowler around across formats but things haven't gone his way lately when it comes to dealing with the fitness concerns. Bumrah has been struggling a bit in the ongoing Manchester Test against England as his speeds have been down.

Having already impressed in the ongoing five-match Test series as well with 13 wickets on the back of two five-fors, Bumrah witnessed a massive dip in his pace and bowled consistently in the 130-135 kmph range, which is a significant reduction from the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy opener in Headingley.

The 31-year-old has picked just one wicket in the match so far and was also seen holding his ankle during the second session of the fourth Test.

Amid all the speculations, the former Indian cricketer has come up with a surprising take on Bumrah, saying that the star pacer might pull the plug on his Test career very soon. He believes that the Indian team and the fans might need to prepare for life without Bumrah in the longest format of the game.

"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 in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter).

"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.

Ahead of the five-match Test series, it was already confirmed by the team management that Bumrah will only play three matches in England due to workload management. Notably, the No.1 Test bowler suffered a back spasm in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy's last Test in Sydney, which kept him out of competitive cricket for more than three months. He also missed the Champions Trophy because of this injury.

Kaif came up with a shocking assessment, saying that Bumrah might end his Test career pretty soon.

"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," said Kaif.

"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," he added.

The former Indian batter further stated that Bumrah wants to go and maintain the consistency for the team, but he is losing the crucial battle against his own body.

"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 his sharp, but he has lost to his body," Kaif concluded.

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