Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has shared his opinion that Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah should consider giving up Test cricket and focus on shorter formats instead. Akhtar believes that Bumrah lacks the extra pace needed to succeed in the longest format of the game. The Indian pacer is currently playing his third Test of the ongoing IND vs AUS Test series, also known as the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
While speaking on the TNKS podcast, Akhtar explained that Bumrah’s skillset is better suited for shorter formats because of his ability to use line and length properly. However, he feels Bumrah struggles in Tests because batters are less aggressive, making it harder to take wickets.
“You know, in Test cricket, you have to bowl longer spells. The batters don’t try to attack you, so length becomes irrelevant. You struggle if the ball doesn’t seam then. When you start struggling, the team will start questioning. I think he is a good enough fast bowler to take wickets in Test cricket,” said Akhtar.
Concerns about pace and injuries
Akhtar also highlighted the challenges Bumrah might face if he chooses to stay in Test cricket. He talks about to Bumrah’s performance in the home series against New Zealand, meaning that increasing pace might come with a higher risk of injuries.
“Although he didn’t do much in the Test series against New Zealand, it happens. But if he wants to continue playing Test cricket, he has to increase pace. With the injection of increasing pace, he has a high risk of getting injured. If I was Jasprit Bumrah, I’d stick to shorter formats. It only depends on how I feel,” Akhtar added.
Despite Akhtar’s advice, Bumrah has managed his workload efficiently, making sure that his availability for big matches remain in all formats. He has played in both Tests against Australia in the ongoing series and played a crucial role in India’s historic win in Perth.
Not a Test bowler but good for white ball
Akhtar praised Bumrah’s mastery of line and length and also talked about his skill in swinging the ball, making him an exceptional bowler in limited-overs cricket. He believes that Bumrah is better suited for shorter formats rather than red ball cricket.“He is a very good fast bowler for the shorter formats. He understands line and length. His accuracy is brilliant. I think he does a great job in death overs, in powerplay and he can swing the ball both ways,” Akhtar said.
