'This journey will not always go on': Jasprit Bumrah reveals retirement plans

Indian cricket team's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has shared his thoughts on retirement during a conversation with Michael Clarke on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, indicating he will continue playing as long as his body and drive permit. At 31 years of age, Bumrah, who has transformed fast bowling in India, discussed his journey in international cricket and acknowledged the physical demands of playing across all formats.

Bumrah's comments come at a time when Indian cricket is experiencing several high-profile retirements, including those of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Having already faced significant time away from the game due to back injuries, Bumrah is mindful of his career trajectory and physical limitations.

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In his nine-year international career, Bumrah has established himself among India's legendary fast bowlers, drawing comparisons with Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath, and Zaheer Khan after just 45 Test matches.

"This is a sport that I fell in love with. I went to Australia this time, and a lot of youngsters came up to me and tried to copy my [bowling] action. Which is surreal because I used to do that. So yeah, this journey will not always go on, but whenever it ends, I want to give it back to the sport. Because whatever I have and whatever I have learnt in life is through this sport. Thankful to the journey that I have had," Bumrah shared during the podcast.



Despite winning a T20 World Cup, Bumrah recognizes the need to be selective about his workload across formats, including the Indian Premier League, as he progresses in his career.

His recent Australia tour, where he claimed 32 wickets in a series that India lost 1-3, was followed by another back injury that sidelined him for two months, reinforcing the importance of managing his physical condition.

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"It is tough for any individual to keep playing everything for so long. I have been doing it for a while. But eventually, you have to understand where your body is going and what the important tournaments are, so you have to be a little selective and smart about how you use your body. Obviously, as a cricketer, I would never want to leave anything and always keep on going," Bumrah explained.

The fast bowler maintains a pragmatic approach to his future in cricket, focusing on the present while being aware of potential limitations ahead.

"At this moment, I am ok. But I don't set goals such as this is the number I should be at. I look at it one day at a time. The journey is going good so far, but the day I realise that the drive is gone or the effort is not there or my body is not holding up, that is the time when you make the decision," Bumrah stated, indicating his approach to eventual retirement.



The conversation highlights Bumrah's realistic perspective on his cricket career, acknowledging both his current capabilities and the inevitable challenges that come with being a fast bowler in international cricket.

His statements reflect a measured approach to career longevity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining physical fitness and mental drive while continuing to perform at the highest level of international cricket.