'Khuddar Banda Hai, Khud Hee Mana Kar Denge': Mohammad Kaif's Grim Prediction On Jasprit Bumrah's Career Amid Manchester Test; Video

Ex-Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has offered a grim prediction of Jasprit Bumrah's Test future amid his struggles in the fourth Test against England in Manchester. Kaif feels the pace spearhead will struggle to play in the upcoming Tests and might even retire from the format.

The 31-year-old claimed five-wicket hauls at Headingley and Lord's but hasn't been at the same level in Manchester. In the 28 overs bowled so far, he has given away 95 runs only for one wicket. He is also on the verge of conceding 100 for the first time in an innings.

Speaking in a video posted on X, Kaif said the Ahmedabad-born speedster is selfless enough to make way for the future generation if he is not able to contribute.

"Jasprit Bumrah mujhe aisa lagta hai ki aane waale Test matches mein aapko khelte hue na dikhe. Ho sakta hai sanyaas bhi le le. Woh Jhoonjh rahe hain, dheemi ball daal rahe hain, raftaar dikh hee nahin rahi hai is Test match mein. Khuddar banda hai. Agar usko lag raha hai 100% de nahin paa raha hoon desh ke liye, match jita nahin paa raha hoon, wickets nahin maar paa raha hoon toh, khud hee mana kar denge, aisi meri gut feel hai. 130, 125 ki speed se ball daal rahe hain."

Bumrah to retire from tests? pic.twitter.com/PnMR2y6oEi

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 26, 2025

(I think Jasprit Bumrah might not play the upcoming Test matches. He might even retire. The speed is not the same. He is selfless. If he feels he is not able to give 100% and not able to win the match or take wickets, he will refuse to play himself. He is bowling at speeds of 125-130.)

"I hope my predictions are wrong" - Mohammad Kaif

The former middle-order batter believes the fire and passion is still there in Bumrah but his body is struggling to cope.

"Ek wicket jo maari, jo catch keeper ne li, woh bhi aage dive maar ke pakda. Chahe Joe Root ho, Stokes ho, woh aise gendbaaz hai, jab dil chahega, ballebaaz ko out kar sakte hain. Passion toh vahi hai, shiddat vahi hai, desh ke liye khelne ke liye par fitness se haar chuka hai, par body saath nahin de rahi hai. Is Test match mein unka na chalna saaf taur pe gavahi deta hai ki aage ke Test matches mein dikkat aayegi. Dua karta hoon, jo main dol raha hoon, meri prediction galat ho. Par jo maine is Test mein dekha hai, woh enjoy nahin kar rahe hain. Jazba vahi hai par shareer saath nahin de raha hai."

(The one wicket he took, keeper dove forward and took the catch. Bumrah is a bowler, who can dismiss any batter, be it Joe Root or Ben Stokes. The passion and fire is there but he no longer seems fit. This Test match seems proof enough that he will struggle to play the upcoming matches. I hope my predictions are wrong. But from what I've seen, he is not enjoying this Test. The passion is there but his body is struggling to cope.)

England amass 186-run lead with three wickets remaining

England, meanwhile, began day three of the Old Trafford Test at 225/2, trailing India only by 133 runs. They lost no wickets in the first session and whittled down the runs in arrears to 53. Although Washington Sundar struck twice after lunch, it didn't stop Joe Root from reaching a historic 38th Test hundred.

Amid his massive innings of 150, the Yorkshire batter went past Ricky Ponting, thereby becoming the second-highest run-getter in Test cricket. Ben Stokes also suffered some cramps after reaching a well-compiled fifty and had to walk back to the dressing rom but returned to bat in the closing stages of the day.

𝗨 𝗡 𝗙 𝗜 𝗟 𝗧 𝗘 𝗥 𝗘 𝗗

Joe Root waves goodbye to Dravid, Kallis and Ponting on the road to the top of the Test tree 🌳 pic.twitter.com/OZPl3Ly6mv

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 26, 2025

The England skipper remained unbeaten at 77 on close and remains on track to score his first Test ton in two years. The home side's score stood at 544/7 at stumps with the lead at 186. Should rain hinder England's willingness to extend their lead, they could declare early to push for the win.

Shubman Gill and co. must bat out of their skins to salvage a draw on a surface that has produced some variable bounce.