According to former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif, premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah might soon hang up his boots in the Test format. During India’s fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester, Kaif raised concerns about Bumrah’s fitness and a noticeable dip in bowling speed.
Once consistently clocking over 140 kmph, Bumrah’s pace now ranges between 130–135 kmph. Kaif suggested this might be a sign that Bumrah’s body is struggling to handle the physical demands of red-ball cricket.
“𝑩𝒖𝒎𝒓𝒂𝒉 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆. 𝑯𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒎𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒑 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑻𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒕,”
Kaif told broadcasters during the match. He also noted that Bumrah bowled over 100 runs in a single innings for the first time in Tests and was seen limping during the spell.
Despite playing only three Tests in this England series to manage his workload, Kaif believes Bumrah could announce his Test retirement soon. Having taken 145 wickets in 48 Tests, Bumrah’s potential exit would leave a massive void in India’s bowling attack.
Arshdeep Singh – A Left-Arm Hope
Arshdeep Singh, who has already made his mark in India’s ODI setup, is yet to debut in Tests. Initially included in the squad for the ongoing series against England, he missed a chance to debut in Manchester due to a thumb injury during training.
With a strong domestic record—66 wickets in 21 first-class games at an average of 30.37—and experience playing county cricket with Kent in 2023, Arshdeep brings promise. His left-arm angle and control with the new ball make him a compelling candidate.
“He’s a left-arm pacer with impressive control, and he’s done well in English conditions during his county stint,” a team source reportedly said.
Vijay Kumar Vaishak – The Domestic Workhorse
Karnataka pacer Vijay Kumar Vaishak has emerged as another potential option. Known for his sharp variations and accuracy, he has picked up more than 100 wickets in just 26 first-class games, averaging 23.88.
After a breakthrough IPL season with RCB in 2023, Vaishak earned a big IPL 2025 contract with Punjab Kings. Although yet to debut internationally, his domestic form and experience in the IPL make him a dependable backup for Bumrah in Test cricket.
Akash Madhwal – A Late Bloomer with Big Impact
Uttarakhand’s Akash Madhwal could also step up if Bumrah exits the Test scene. The 31-year-old fast bowler made headlines with his remarkable 5/5 for the Mumbai Indians during the 2023 IPL Eliminator, the second-best figures by an Indian in IPL history.
Starting competitive cricket at 24 after leaving engineering, Madhwal has 16 wickets in 14 first-class matches and 23 IPL wickets in just 17 games. Despite his age, his late-blooming rise and control with both new and old ball make him a valuable red-ball prospect.
Bumrah’s potential retirement could mark the end of an era in Indian Test bowling, but these three pacers offer hope for a strong pace future.
Also Read: Veda Krishnamurthy Announces Retirement from All Formats of Cricket
