Mohammad Kaif questions Jasprit Bumrah’s accuracy against Pakistan, says he is not at his peak

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif shared his surprise over Jasprit Bumrah’s accuracy in the high-octane clash against Pakistan in the Asia Cup on Sunday. Bumrah had a rare off-day, conceding 45 runs in his quota of four overs and going wicketless.

Kaif noted that Bumrah failed to nail his yorkers, with which he is so good, and bowled high full tosses against Pakistan in the Super Four clash. On Bumrah’s bowling, Shubman Gill dropped Faheem Ashraf’s catch when he was on six.

Kaif said on his YouTube Channel, “Jasprit Bumrah looked a little off color. His spell was under some pressure, and whenever he was trying to bowl a yorker, many deliveries ended up as full tosses. I have very rarely seen Jasprit Bumrah, who is known for bowling precise yorkers, bowl so many full tosses. Several times the ball reached the height of the waist, and the batsman was able to hit it, including pull shots.”

Kaif noted that SKY is giving three overs up front to Bumrah and it is a new trend with which he is bowling his quota of overs.

“I feel this might still be related to the injury issues he had, whether it was during the England tour, where he played three Test matches, or the challenges he faced there. That’s why he’s bowling three overs back-to-back. He used to bowl the first over, then the 13th, then the 17th, and finally the 19th. In the IPL, Rohit Sharma as a captain used to manage him in this way when playing for India. But now I see a new trend where Bumrah is being given three overs consecutively.”

The Natwest Trophy final hero believes Bumrah is not at the peak of his prowess in the recent past.

“The main reason, I think, is that for players who have been injured, Suryakumar has probably been told that once their body is warmed up, they should bowl two or three overs consecutively and get through them. I think somewhere he is not at his peak. Bumrah, who is known for his speed, accuracy, and precise yorkers, seems to be struggling with that signature weapon of his. In the last few matches, his yorkers have been turning into full tosses but I hope he comes out of it soon. There is no doubt that he is a very great bowler.”

Bumrah would look to bounce back stronger and deliver the goods. India will next take on Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Wednesday.