Shoaib Akhtar recently shared his thoughts on Jasprit Bumrah’s future in Test cricket, expressing concerns about the Indian pacer’s ability to sustain a long career in the format due to fitness challenges and the need for additional pace. Despite Bumrah’s impressive Test average of 20.01 and his reputation as a world-class all-format bowler, Akhtar suggested that Bumrah may need to reconsider his involvement in the longest format.
Speaking on The Nakash Khan Show podcast, Akhtar remarked, “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.” However, he highlighted the demands of Test cricket, adding, “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.”
While praising Bumrah’s capabilities, Akhtar noted the risks of injury if Bumrah tries to bowl with increased pace in Test cricket. He said, “If he wants to continue playing Test cricket, he has to increase the pace. With the injection of increasing pace, he has a high risk of getting injured. If I was him, I would have stuck to shorter formats.”
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Akhtar also emphasized the importance of workload management for Bumrah, who plays across formats and the IPL, stating, “It only depends on how I feel. If I’m feeling good, okay, I’ll go out there, I’ll bend my back, make sure I take wickets for the team in Test matches. That is fine with me but he has to look after himself.”
Concluding on a positive note, Akhtar said, “He’s a great asset for world cricket and we need to make sure we don’t destroy him, in terms of looking after him more.”
