Jasprit Bumrah Struggles in Fourth Test Against England: Concerns Arise

In the fourth Test against England, Jasprit Bumrah's performance has raised eyebrows as he struggles with pace and intensity. His bowling speed has significantly dropped, and concerns about his fitness have emerged following an ankle twist. With limited support from fellow bowlers, Bumrah's ability to deliver breakthroughs has been compromised, impacting India's overall strategy. As the match progresses, fans and analysts are keenly observing his performance and its implications for the team's success.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 26, 2025, 18:09 IST

Bumrah's Performance Lacks Intensity

In the ongoing fourth Test match against England at Old Trafford, Team India's leading fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has shown a noticeable decline in his performance. During the first innings, he failed to deliver the intensity and rhythm that fans have come to expect from him.

Bumrah's usual threat to England's batting lineup was absent, as he struggled to find his pace and accuracy on a pitch known for its variable bounce and seam movement. Many anticipated a strong start from him, but he was unable to generate the necessary speed to trouble the English batsmen.

His deliveries lacked the usual venom, allowing the England batters to negotiate them with relative ease, contrasting sharply with his typical menacing presence when bowling with the new ball.

Concerns Over Bowling Speed

As the Test series progresses, Bumrah's noticeable drop in bowling speed has raised concerns within the Indian camp. Over two days of bowling in India's first innings, he managed to exceed 140 kmph only once in 173 deliveries, a stark decline from his usual performance.

In previous Tests at Headingley and Lord's, Bumrah consistently clocked over 140 kmph, achieving this in 39.8% of his deliveries at Headingley and 26.8% at Lord's. However, at Old Trafford, this figure plummeted to just 0.6%.

On Day 3, his speed further decreased, fluctuating between 130-135 kmph and later dropping to 120-125 kmph, raising alarms about his physical condition and the impact on India's bowling strategy.

Injury Concerns and Performance Impact

Bumrah's performance was further hindered by an ankle twist he sustained while bowling. After a wicketless start to Day 3, he finally claimed his first wicket by dismissing Jamie Smith, but the injury seemed to affect his overall rhythm.

A viral video showed Bumrah struggling to ascend the stairs to the dressing room, visibly limping, which heightened concerns about his fitness. His ankle twist not only impacted his bowling but also raised questions about his ability to contribute effectively in the remaining phases of the Test.

Before this match, Bumrah had played only two Tests in the series, having been rested for the Edgbaston Test to manage his workload. However, he was compelled to participate in the fourth Test due to injuries to teammates Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh.

Lack of Support from Teammates

Many fans and analysts believe that the absence of support from other bowlers has placed additional pressure on Bumrah, contributing to his fatigue and decline in performance. India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, acknowledged this issue, emphasizing the need for support from fellow bowlers.

Morkel stated, "Bumrah is a highly skilled player who wants to make an impact with the ball, but we need support from the other end as well. It's crucial to create pressure from both sides during an innings."

Despite his struggles, Bumrah concluded the first innings with figures of 2/112 in 33 overs, as India eventually dismissed England for 669, trailing by 311 runs.