In a shocking twist, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has made a fiery claim that has the cricket world buzzing: England skipper Ben Stokes and speedster Jofra Archer allegedly plotted to injure Indian ace Jasprit Bumrah during the Lord’s Test.
According to Kaif, the English stars weren’t just playing hard – they were playing dirty.
What Did Kaif Say?
During a post-match discussion, Mohammad Kaif didn’t mince words:
“It was clear – they were targeting Bumrah’s hand, especially his fingers. This wasn’t normal aggression. It looked like a calculated plan to knock him out of the series.”
This eye-popping claim came after Bumrah was seen struggling against a flurry of short-pitched deliveries aimed at his body and hands, courtesy of Jofra Archer’s thunderbolts.
What Happened at Lord’s?
During Day 2 of the 3rd Test at Lord’s, Bumrah walked in to bat and instantly became the target of intense short-ball pressure. Archer repeatedly peppered him with bouncers, while Stokes was visibly animated from the slip cordon.
While fiery fast bowling is part of Test cricket’s tradition, Kaif believes this crossed the line:
“This wasn’t just about getting him out. It felt like they were trying to physically hurt him.”
Why Target Bumrah?
Let’s not forget — Jasprit Bumrah has been England’s biggest headache this series.
- He’s been lethal with the ball, consistently taking key wickets.
- He’s contributed handy runs down the order, frustrating England’s bowlers.
Knocking him out, even briefly, could tilt the series in England’s favour.
Bold Tactics or Bad Intentions
While some fans and former cricketers support Kaif’s observation, others are calling it just aggressive cricket.
Cricket pundit Michael Vaughan dismissed the claims as “part of the game”, while others believe the incident deserves closer scrutiny.
Here’s how social media reacted:
🗨️ “There’s a difference between being competitive and being cruel.”
🗨️ “If roles were reversed, the outrage would be 10x louder.”
🗨️ “Kaif is right – this looked personal.”
Has Bumrah Been Injured?
So far, Bumrah hasn’t reported any injury – thankfully. But the visual of him fending off blows and visibly shaken has raised concerns.
Even though he carried on batting and later bowled, questions remain about how much of a toll the spell took on him — both physically and mentally.
What’s BCCI & ICC Next Step?
Neither BCCI nor the ICC has responded officially to Kaif’s remarks, but if such targeted tactics are proven true, this could turn into a major controversy.
Cricket, after all, is a game of passion — but not one of deliberate harm.
