Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has slammed Jasprit Bumrah’s critics after Team India’s announcement for the
2025 Asia Cup. He also defended the pacer weeks after insensitive fans claimed that India won both their Tests because Bumrah didn’t feature in them.

“Open your mouth carefully because you mentioned that whatever matches we played in England, we lost when he (Jasprit Bumrah) played. You better look at how many matches he has played and India won them, go and find out that 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 don’t report him. There are no stains on him,” he said.

“I already said that Bumrah might not be seen playing long in Tests, but in white-ball cricket, if India comes in the [Asia Cup] final, then he might play seven games. He will bowl 28 overs, 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. After workload management and a break, he will be used. I think he won’t face any issues in bowling four overs. You need Bumrah in T20 because he can change the course of the game with his bowling,” he further added.

READ HERE: “The reality is I was tired” – Jasprit Bumrah on not celebrating five-fer

Mohammad Kaif further showed his disappointment as Mohammed Siraj missed out on a place in the India squad for the 2025 Asia Cup as well. He also added that Siraj bagged 16 wickets in the IPL 2025 season. However, he said that
Siraj emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the five-match series, bagging 23 wickets as well.

“There is no Mohammed Siraj as well [in India squad for 2025 Asia Cup], and he will be missed because of the form he was in, the way he bowled in England, bowled longer spells in each game. By bowling that much, you have the bowling form. He plays IPL and picked up wickets as well. If you see, he is bowling exceedingly well in the first 10-12 matches. So, I am surprised he was not in the 20-member side,” he added.

“I am disappointed because he finished the series 2-2 on his own. We know how well he bowled, and when you have the form, you want to back that bowler, and that’s why I am disappointed not to see him in the Asia Cup. He is an equally brilliant bowler even in white-ball cricket,” Mohammad Kaif concluded.