Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling form seems to have fallen off a cliff and there aren’t many indications that he will be able to get back on track soon.
The tour of New Zealand has been especially trying for the right-arm quick as he failed to pick up a single wicket during the 3-0 ODI series whitewash and only managed one wicket in the opening Test which the Indians lost by 10 wickets.
Bumrah hasn’t been the same since his return from back injury. The bowler hurt his back in September after the tour of the Caribbean and while it was expected that he would be out of action for six months, he came back in double quick time.
Unfortunately, the New Zealand tour has gone from bad to worse for the right-arm quick, with wickets and control deserting him in white and red-ball cricket. While he showed flashes of brilliance during the five-match T20 series against the Kiwis, the slide started during the ODIs and has extended to Test matches.
One wicket in more than 63 overs
The single most revealing stat which shows exactly how much Bumrah has struggled during the New Zealand tour is the fact he has picked up one wicket in more than 63 overs of bowling in ODI and Test matches.
He went wicktless in the three-match ODI series despite bowling his full quota of overs. The poor wicket-taking form then spilled over to the Test arena where he picked up just one wicket in 26.4 overs in the first Test at Wellington which India, once again, lost comfortably by 10 wickets.
The pattern has continued in the second Test at Christchurch on Saturday, the 26-year-old failing to pick up a wicket on the opening day on a green surface.
That adds up to 63.4 wickets for one wicket and not much hope for more in the immediate future.
India were bowled out for 242 in the first innings of the second Test and the Kiwis were well-placed on 63-0 by stumps. Virat Kohli’s team need an extraordinary spell from Bumrah to get back into the Test, which seems unlikely given the way the Black Caps have handled him so far.
Bumrah is leaking runs as well, which means the Kiwis have not been forced to see him off, which was a tactic teams used when he was bowling at his peak last year.
What seems likely is the Kiwis continuing to dominate, which should force Bumrah go back to the drawing board and sort out the issues that have suddenly cropped up since his hasty return.
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Palestine and Israel - live updates
Biography
Her family: She has four sons, aged 29, 27, 25 and 24 and is a grandmother-of-nine
Favourite book: Flashes of Thought by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Favourite drink: Water
Her hobbies: Reading and volunteer work
Favourite music: Classical music
Her motto: I don't wait, I initiate
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
