Asia Cup 2025 | 'You're India's biggest match-winner': Kaif takes a U-turn on Bumrah 'jibe'

As the keyboard warriors went on the berserk celebrating the banter between the two, Kaif himself took to X again to clarify his stance.

Ex Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif, who stirred up a hornet's nest by questioning the logic of not using Jasprit Bumrah much in the 'death overs' clarified his stand saying he did not mean to belittle the Indian pace spearhead and that it was in the good interests of the game that he made the comment.

It may be recalled that after seeing Bumrah being used more in powerplays in the ongoing Asia Cup T20 with just one over of him being kept for the 'death' end, Kaif, one of the heroes of India's historic NatWest Series triumph against at Lord's in 2002, had posted on X.

"Bumrah under Rohit would generally bowl overs 1, 13, 17, 19. Under Surya, in Asia cup, he bowled a three-overs spell at the start. To avoid injury, Bumrah these days, prefers to bowl while his body is warmed up. 1 over of Bumrah in the remaining 14 overs is a huge relief for batters, against stronger teams at World Cup, this could hurt India.

But the usually quiet Bumrah did not seem to like the comments so and hit back at Kaif in a hard response.

"Inaccurate before inaccurate again," Bumah replied on X, with a thumbs-up emoji.

As the keyboard warriors went on the berserk celebrating the banter between the two, Kaif himself took to X again to clear the air.

"Please take this as a cricketing observation from a well-wisher and an admirer. You are Indian cricket's biggest match-winner and I know what it takes to give it all when on field wearing India colours," Kaif posted on X again.

For now the controversy seems to have ended and the focus is back on the 22-yard strip where India are set to take on Sri Lanka in their last Super Fours tie of the at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

With India already qualifying for the finals and Sri Lanka not in the reckoning, this inconsequential tie is seen as the last opportunity for Suryakumar Yadav and Co to iron out a few flaws before the final against Pakistan on Sunday.

All is well that ends well goes the adage and it was good to see the Kaif-Bumrah social media banter ending on a quick note as the Asia Cup reaches its business end.