Mohammad Kaif said that if the "Men in Blue" manage to reach the final of the Asia Cup 2025, then Jasprit Bumrah will likely bowl a total of 28 overs. Team India will kick off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against the UAE on September 10
Jasprit Bumrah (Pic: File Pic)
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has hit back at lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s critics by saying, "open your mouth carefully".
Kaif's comments comes following the announcement of India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025.
Earlier, during the five-match Test series against England, there was criticism of Bumrah all over social media platforms, stating that the visitors had suffered losses in all the matches against the "Three Lions" in which he played.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif said, "Open your mouth carefully because you mentioned that whatever matches we played in England, we lost when he played. You better look at how many matches he has played and India won them -- go and find that out 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 do not report him. There are no stains on him," he added.
Further, the former cricketer said that if the "Men in Blue" manage to reach the final of the Asia Cup 2025, then Bumrah will likely bowl a total of 28 overs.
"I already said that Bumrah might not be seen playing long in Tests, but in white-ball cricket, if India reach the Asia Cup final, then he might play seven games. He will bowl 28 overs (four overs per match), 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," said the 44-year-old.
Earlier, Bumrah was provided with rest during the England series, considering his workload management. Ahead of the continental tournament, Kaif is hopeful that the pacer won’t face any issues in completing his quota of four overs.
"After workload management and a break, he will be used. I think he would not face any issues in bowling four overs. You need Bumrah in T20s because he can change the course of the game with his bowling," he said.
Team India will kick off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against the UAE on 10 September, while the high-voltage game against Pakistan is scheduled for 14 September, with both fixtures set to be played in Dubai. India will play their final group stage fixture against Oman on 19 September in Abu Dhabi.
India's squad for Asia Cup 2025: Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku SinghReserve players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
(With ANI Inputs)
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