Sachin Tendulkar pointed to Bumrah’s two five-wicket hauls in the series and dismissed the notion that India tends to lose when he is part of the playing XI.
Sachin Tendulkar Backs Jasprit Bumrah Amid Criticism Over England Series
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has thrown his weight behind Jasprit Bumrah, who has faced criticism following India’s 2-2 Test series draw against England. Bumrah, India’s pace spearhead and the ICC’s top-ranked Test bowler, played only three of the five Tests due to workload management, claiming 14 wickets in total. However, his overall impact has been questioned, especially since India won both matches in which he was rested.
Bumrah began the series impressively, bagging a five-wicket haul in the first innings at Headingley. But he went wicketless in the second innings as India failed to defend a target of 371. At Lord’s, he made it to the honours board with another five-wicket haul in the first innings but managed just two wickets in the second as India slumped to another loss.
Despite this mixed performance, Sachin Tendulkar defended Bumrah’s contribution and rejected claims that his presence negatively affects India’s chances. Highlighting his two five-wicket hauls, Sachin Tendulkar called the criticism unfair and the results coincidental. “Of the three Tests that he played, he picked up five wickets twice. I know people are discussing that we won the Tests he didn’t play, but to me, that is just a coincidence,” Tendulkar said in a video posted on Reddit.
“Quality of Bumrah is exceptional”
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has come out in strong support of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been under scrutiny after India’s 2-2 Test series draw against England. Bumrah, the ICC’s No. 1 ranked Test bowler, featured in just three of the five Tests due to workload management, taking 14 wickets. However, his impact has been questioned as India won both matches he missed.
Bumrah started the series on a high with a five-wicket haul in the first innings at Headingley but went wicketless in the second innings as India failed to defend a target of 371. He followed it up with another five-wicket haul at Lord’s, earning a place on the honours board, but managed only two wickets in the second innings as India slipped to another loss.
Tendulkar dismissed the narrative that India performs better without Bumrah, calling such claims mere coincidence. “Of the three Tests he played, he picked up five wickets twice. I know people are discussing that we won the Tests he didn’t play, but to me, that is just a coincidence,” he said in his series review on Reddit.
The batting great went on to heap praise on Bumrah’s consistency and excellence across formats. “The quality of Bumrah is exceptional. What he has been able to do is just unbelievable so far. He has been a consistent performer without any doubt, and I would put him right at the top with anyone else,” Tendulkar added.