Bumrah’s Struggles in the Fourth Test

Jasprit Bumrah, renowned for his exceptional bowling skills, faced criticism from former Australian captain Ricky Ponting during the fourth Test against England. Bumrah, who has been a key player for India, delivered an underwhelming performance, conceding over 100 runs in an innings for the first time in his career. His figures of 33-5-112-2 reflected a challenging day on the field. Mohammed Siraj also struggled, ending with figures of 30-4-140-1. According to the BCCI’s pre-tour announcement, Bumrah is expected to miss the fifth Test due to workload management.

Ponting’s Analysis of Bumrah and Siraj

Ricky Ponting, commenting on SKY Sports, expressed concerns about both Bumrah and Siraj’s ability to endure the demanding Test series. He noted that Bumrah appeared “flat” from the start, with his pace dropping to an average of 82-83 miles per hour, significantly lower than his usual speed. Ponting acknowledged the pressure exerted by England’s batsmen, particularly Duckett and Crawley, who challenged India’s bowling attack from the outset.

Speculations on Bumrah’s Future

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif speculated that Bumrah might retire from Test cricket soon, following in the footsteps of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Kaif observed that Bumrah seemed to be “losing the battle against his body,” despite maintaining his spirit and passion for the game. Kaif suggested that Indian cricket fans might need to adjust to a future without Bumrah in Test matches.

Bumrah’s Leadership Decision

Despite being considered for captaincy after Rohit Sharma’s retirement, Bumrah declined the role to focus on managing his workload. He emphasized prioritizing the team’s interests over personal ambitions. Bumrah has been dealing with fitness issues since early 2025, missing significant tournaments like the Champions Trophy and parts of IPL 2025 due to a back injury.

Bumrah’s Performance in England Series

During the ongoing tour of England, Bumrah played selectively to manage his fitness. He impressed in the series opener at Headingley but missed the second Test at Edgbaston. Returning for the third Test at Lord’s, he secured a five-wicket haul despite a noticeable drop in pace. His cautious approach reflects his commitment to balancing performance with long-term fitness.