Follow UsFormer Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has made a shocking claim, suggesting that England captain Ben Stokes and pacer Jofra Archer intentionally plotted to injure Jasprit Bumrah on Day 5 of the third Test at Lord’s.
India, chasing 193 in the final innings, were reduced to 112/8 when Bumrah joined forces with Ravindra Jadeja. The pair frustrated England’s bowlers for 22 overs, adding 35 runs for the ninth wicket. Bumrah, although scoring just five runs, faced 54 deliveries in a resilient effort.
Bumrah eventually fell to Stokes while attempting to hit a back-of-a-length delivery over mid-wicket. Despite a spirited fight from Jadeja and the tailenders, India fell short by 22 runs.
"Stokes and Archer planned to bowl bouncers at Bumrah. If he didn’t get out, the aim was to hit him on the finger or shoulder and injure him,” Kaif claimed on his YouTube channel, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
“This stays in the minds of bowlers - to injure the main bowler whom our batters struggle to face. That was the plan, which eventually worked to dismiss him."
Before the series began, Bumrah had informed the team management that he would play only three Tests to manage his workload. So far, he has featured in the first and third Tests - both of which India lost. Bumrah sat out the second Test, where India registered a 336-run victory.
With the fourth Test set to be played in Manchester from July 23, there is now growing speculation that Bumrah could miss the all-important match.