Shoaib Akhtar, the fiery former Pakistani pacer, has advised India’s Jasprit Bumrah to consider stepping away from Test cricket to extend his career. Speaking on The Nakash Khan Show podcast, Akhtar highlighted the physical toll Test cricket takes, emphasizing the need for Bumrah to preserve his fitness for shorter formats where he excels. The suggestion came after Bumrah’s subdued performance against New Zealand at home, where he managed only three wickets in four innings on spin-friendly tracks.

Bumrah, widely regarded as a generational talent, holds an incredible sub-20 Test bowling average and has 185 wickets to his name. Despite returning from a severe back injury in 2023 to reclaim his spot as the world’s top-ranked Test bowler, India has been cautious in managing his workload.

The 31-year-old was even rested for the third Test against New Zealand after India had already lost the series 0-2. Shoaib Akhtar believes that Bumrah’s continued success in Test cricket hinges on maintaining high pace, which increases his injury risk.

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“If I were him, I’d stick to shorter formats,” Shoaib Akhtar remarked. “He’s good enough to take Test wickets, but to do so, he must bowl faster. That added effort comes with a significant injury risk. He also wants to play IPL, ODIs, and Tests, so he needs to manage his body carefully.”

India’s reliance on Bumrah has grown significantly over the years. His match-winning performance in the first Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy showcased his prowess. However, in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, where Bumrah struggled for rhythm, India’s bowling attack looked toothless. Akhtar warned that Bumrah’s occasional lapses could draw sharp criticism if he fails to maintain his speed and accuracy, especially when conditions do not favour seam or swing.

“Test cricket demands long spells, and pace is crucial because batters aren’t always looking to score quickly,” Shoaib Akhtar explained. “If the ball doesn’t seam or reverse and you lack pace, you struggle. When that happens, people start questioning your abilities.”

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On the rain-hit opening day of the Gabba Test, Bumrah bowled a tight six-over spell, conceding only eight runs but failing to take a wicket. The pitch appeared flatter than India might have anticipated after choosing to bowl first, with Australia ending the curtailed day at 28/0.