Jasprit Bumrah should quit Test cricket: Shoaib Akhtar suggests pacer to focus on white ball cricket

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has opined that Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah should consider stepping away from Test cricket to focus on shorter formats. According to Akhtar, Bumrah’s bowling style and skill set are better suited for limited-overs cricket, as he feels the Indian pacer lacks the extra pace needed to excel consistently in the longest format of the game.

Speaking on the TNKS podcast, Akhtar explained that Test cricket poses unique challenges for bowlers like Bumrah. He highlighted the difficulty of taking wickets in Tests, where batters are more defensive, making length and seam movement less effective. “In Test cricket, batters don’t try to attack you, so length becomes irrelevant. You struggle if the ball doesn’t seam. I think Bumrah is a good fast bowler, but Test cricket might not be the best fit for him,” Akhtar said.

Akhtar also raised concerns about the risk of injuries Bumrah might face if he tries to increase his pace for Test cricket. He referenced Bumrah’s relatively quiet performance during the home series against New Zealand to underline the challenges of succeeding in the format without extra pace.

“If he wants to continue playing Test cricket, he has to increase his pace. But with the injection of pace comes a high risk of injury. If I were Bumrah, I’d stick to shorter formats. It depends on how he feels,” Akhtar added.

While Akhtar suggested that Bumrah might not be a natural fit for red-ball cricket, he praised the Indian pacer for his mastery in limited-overs formats. Akhtar lauded Bumrah’s ability to deliver accurate yorkers, swing the ball both ways, and excel in high-pressure situations like the death overs and powerplays.

“He is a very good fast bowler for shorter formats. His accuracy is brilliant, and he does an excellent job in the death overs. Bumrah is exceptional with the white ball,” Akhtar remarked.

Despite Akhtar’s comments, Jasprit Bumrah remains one of India’s key bowlers in Test cricket. His workload management has allowed him to play pivotal roles in crucial matches, including his performances in the ongoing IND vs AUS Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Bumrah has consistently been a match-winner for India, particularly in overseas Tests, where his unique action and ability to bowl long spells have often troubled batters.

Akhtar’s comments reignite the broader debate about workload management and format specialization for modern cricketers. While Bumrah has proven his mettle in all formats, balancing his fitness and performance in the face of increasing demands remains a key challenge for the Indian pacer moving forward.