Days after Virat Kohli gave Test cricket a rousing endorsement post Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) victory in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) by claiming that the league is five levels below Test cricket despite it being the happiest moment of cricket, Bumrah pointed out the Indian cricket legend's remark and called for youngsters to take up to the longet format

In an interaction on SKY Sports, Dinesh Karthik enquired from Bumrah if younger fast bowlers are not interested in Test cricket. Bumrah revealed that in some cases, it makes sense to give up Test cricket if a player's body does not allow them to take the strain of red-ball cricket.

"It's very subjective to every individual. I understand the thought process. They have one career. We do not hide behind a bat. You have to put a lot of strain on your body. You have to look after your family and earn money. If sometimes their bodies won't allow them to play the longest format and they still want to contribute towards the game, sometimes those smarter approaches," said Bumrah.

Bumrah stated that while he respects the choices of every individual and does not judge anyone, Test cricket is the pinnacle for him and the format he judges himself by. The 31-year-old claimed it is doing well in the longest format, that earns you respect across the world.

"Everybody is different. It comes from a time when test cricket was the pinnacle. This was the format. I grew up watching. I always judge myself through this format. Current generation things are different. T20 cricket is there. Leagues are there. Thought processes have changed. Mindsets change. You cannot judge players or fast bowlers. Yes this is the purest format, but everybody is different.

"I would encourage people to play this format to earn respect. Like Virat said in his interview, you will get respect through this format. You will get respect all over the world. If that is your motivation, this is the format. Different kinds of bodies, different mindsets. If you want fast-paced cricket, T20 and ODI cricket is the way to go," said Bumrah.

Bumrah is among the rare few modern-day cricketers, who are succeeding in all three formats. The star pacer is arguably the best bowler in the world in both red and white-ball cricket. He has played 45 Tests for India and taken 205 wickets. His average of 19.4 is the best by any bowler with more than 200 wickets in the 147-year-old history of the longest format.

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