Sanjay Manjrekar Discusses Jasprit Bumrah's Struggles in England

Bumrah's Current Challenges

Sanjay Manjrekar, a former cricketer and commentator, has brought attention to Jasprit Bumrah's recent struggles, particularly following the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Despite being labeled a 'genius', Bumrah appears to be losing his edge, with Manjrekar describing him as the 'best seam' bowler, even when bowling at 130 kph.

Once hailed as the 'world's best' bowler of his generation, Bumrah has faced difficulties during India's challenging tour in England. He showcased his talent with a remarkable five-wicket haul in the first innings at Headingley but has since struggled to maintain that form.

In the second innings, he failed to take any wickets and returned to Lord's to claim another five wickets. However, his performance in Manchester has been less impressive, managing only one wicket after bowling 28 overs.

Bumrah's fitness has also been a concern, particularly during the third day's second session. After India opted for a new ball in the 91st over, he bowled just one over, conceding 11 runs before leaving the field.

Manjrekar expressed that Bumrah is in a challenging position, having yet to reach his 50th Test match but being treated as if he has played 100. He emphasized the need to manage such a talented bowler carefully.

Reflecting on Bumrah's performance, Manjrekar noted, 'We witnessed his impressive start at Headingley, but his effectiveness diminished in the second innings, with a noticeable drop in speed. It's unfortunate that we are facing this situation so early in his career, but even at 130 kph, Bumrah remains the best seam bowler by a significant margin.'

The ongoing Manchester Test marks Bumrah's final appearance on this tour, as part of his workload management. Currently, he stands as the third-highest wicket-taker in the series, with 13 wickets across three Tests at an average of 26.69.