Star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers to have ever graced the game across all formats. He is arguably India's finest match-winner in recent years, as he possesses the quality to single-handedly change the complexion of a game.
His recent outing with the Indian national team was the five-Test tour of England. Bumrah played in three out of the five Tests due to workload management, but despite missing two games, he ended up picking four wickets in the series, including two fifers.
Bumrah's performances with the national team across all formats have often drawn comparison with another legendary Indian fast bowler, Kapil Dev. The legendary all-rounder, for a very long time, was the world's highest wicket-taker and is considered one of the finest to have ever represented the Men in Blue.
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While there is no doubt about Bumrah's talent as a bowler, questions have often been raised about his fitness. He has sustained multiple injuries in recent years, including the latest back injury, which he suffered during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in January.
He missed the Champions Trophy in February and was also kept out of action by Mumbai Indians in the initial part of the Indian Premier League 2025 season.
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Kapil Dev raises question on Jasprit Bumrah's career longevity
Legendary Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev has now opened up on Bumrah's unusual sling action. While Dev heaped praise on the fast bowler's ability to generate pace, despite having a short run-up, the veteran star expressed concern over the pacer's longevity.
Speaking on The Squirrels YouTube channel (via Cricktracker), Kapil Dev said: "There are two things that always come out. Any bowler in the world with an awkward action takes that much difficult time for a batter to pick the ball like Malinga.
Those types of bowlers we don't practice in the nets, and suddenly out of the blue, somebody comes with a different action, a difficult action, that fraction of a second, if you can't pick what he's trying to do, that is good enough for a bowler."
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The India icon added: "So, Bumrah has become very good because nobody could imagine from a batsman's point of view that in such a short run up, he can generate such big pace. His action is not like an athlete's action; that's why Bumrah can be devastating for the opposition. But can he sustain that for a period of 10 or 12 years, which, as a cricketer, we feel is difficult."
What next for Jasprit Bumrah?
Bumrah is expected to miss the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, which will be hosted by UAE in the T20 format. The fast bowler will enjoy a much-needed rest and work on regaining full fitness before returning for India during their back-to-back home Test series against West Indies and South Africa.