Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif slammed Jasprit Bumrah’s critics after he was included in the Asia Cup squad. Bumrah recently played three out of the five Test matches against England, and since then, a lot of cricket experts have questioned him for his workload.
Interestingly, India lost the two Test matches in which Bumrah played and managed to draw the fourth Test match at Old Trafford. Surprisingly, India won the two Test matches against England when Bumrah was not part of the final XI.
Bumrah picked 14 wickets in three Test matches against England at an average of 26, and Kaif said one should look at the number of matches that the pacer has helped the team to win.
Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube Channel, “Open your mouth carefully because you mentioned that whatever matches we played in England, we lost when he (Jasprit Bumrah) played. You better look at how many matches he has played and India won them, go and find out that as well, regardless of the format. When he plays, how many times does he give match-winning performances? Go and find that stat as well. Bumrah is a promising diamond of India. You don’t report him. There are no stains on him.”
“I already said that Bumrah might not be seen playing long in Tests, but in white-ball cricket, if India comes in the [Asia Cup] final, then he might play seven games. He will bowl 28 overs, and I am speaking about a two or three-week-long tournament. There is no problem in bowling 28 overs; he will get time to recover. You can rest him in one odd match against Oman or weaker teams. After workload management and a break, he will be used. I think he won’t face any issues in bowling four overs. You need Bumrah in T20 because he can change the course of the game with his bowling,” he added.
On the other hand, Kaif said he is disappointed that Mohammed Siraj hasn’t been picked in the Asia Cup squad. Siraj recently scalped 23 wickets in five Test matches against England, whereas he scalped 16 wickets in 15 matches of IPL 2025 for GT.
“There is no Mohammed Siraj as well [in India squad for 2025 Asia Cup], and he will be missed because of the form he was in, the way he bowled in England, bowled longer spells in each game. By bowling that much, you have the bowling form. He plays IPL and picked up wickets as well. If you see, he is bowling exceedingly well in the first 10-12 matches. So, I am surprised he was not in the 20-member side.”
“I am disappointed because he finished the series 2-2 on his own. We know how well he bowled, and when you have the form, you want to back that bowler, and that’s why I am disappointed not to see him in the Asia Cup. He is an equally brilliant bowler even in white-ball cricket,” he added.
India will open their Asia Cup campaign against the UAE on September 10.
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