Former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath has expressed concern over Jasprit Bumrah’s future in Test cricket following India’s triumph at the 2026 FIFA World Cup T20. McGrath questioned whether the Indian speedster would start favoring white-ball formats as he ages, potentially limiting his appearances in the longer format.
Bumrah was an outstanding performer in the recent T20 World Cuphe finished as the joint leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets at an average of 12.42 and an economy rate of 6.21. He also claimed Player of the Final for his 4/15 against New Zealand. Over the years, the Indian team management has taken care of the pacer’s workload, who played three Tests during the tour of England last year. Bumrah was also rested for the white-ball series in India, having not played an ODI since the 2023 World Cup.
Read the full story
Talking about the Fast Bowling cartel, McGrath said that playing back-to-back Tests is becoming increasingly difficult for the Indian pacer. If Bumrah decides to skip the Tests, McGrath said it will be a huge loss for Test cricket.
“I’m worried because he’s a bit older now that playing back-to-back Test matches is getting harder for him. Will he start focusing on white-ball cricket? If he does, it would be a huge loss for Test cricket. We rarely see him in Test matches, maybe against Australia,” McGrath said.
‘BUMRAH IS A WEAPON’
McGrath said Bumrah looks completely different when he comes to bowl and the batsmen are unable to line up the Indian pacer.
“How good he is. When he comes on, he looks completely different to every other fast bowler. Batsmen try to line up every other bowler when they’re set up, but not him. What I like about Bumrah is how he successfully bats a really good length of a Test match in T20s. His other variations are great too. He’s just a weapon,” McGrath said.
Bumrah is set to completely shift focus to ODIs and Tests after his assignment for the T20 World Cup.
– The end
Published on:
11 March 2026 15:59 IST
Tune in
