Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik recently came out in defence of Jasprit Bumrahamidst the constant criticism the right-arm pacer has been under of late,
especially on social media. Bumrah has been criticized in recent times in relation to his participation in the recent five-match Test series against England, which was drawn levels at 2-2.
Karthik reflected on Bumrah's critics' opinions in relation to India being more effective than him without his presence. There were talks floating around Bumrah developing an insecurity with the relatively inexperienced pace-bowling group exceeding expectations during the England series.
"Now, this stat of when he doesn't play, India does not win. It's not his mistake. He is so impactful that others pale in comparison at times which is understandable. He is a world champion. When he finishes cricket, he will be spoken in the same parlance as a Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Dale Steyn," stated Karthik via Cricbuzz.
"You have to look at it from Jasprit Bumrah's point of view. I think that these kinds of wins, the way the series has panned out, the way the young team has fought will actually help him in his career. I believe Jasprit Bumrah will be very proud of this young bowling attack and knowing him, he is not someone who shies away from pressure, big matches," the former India cricketer added.
We have to cut Bumrah some slack: Karthik
The cricketer-turned-commentator further sided with the Ahmedabad-born pacer while trying to make the audience understand the extreme stress Bumrah's body has undergone in the past, because of his body dynamics and hyperextension in the bowling action.
"I hope he will have a longer career knowing, 'I can pick and choose matches when I feel I am ready because there is no more pressure that I am the only one and at every match, I'll have to play'. And at times, it's unfair. It's a body, he knows what he has gone through. Two back injuries, one nasty ACL he had in 2014. It's not easy and sometimes I feel we have to cut him some slack as well," the cricketer-turned-commentator said further.
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was shared between England and Indiaafter each side won a couple of games to conclude the series with a 2-2 margin. For India, skipper Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj were the standout performers, while Bumrah picked 14 wickets in the three games that he played. For the unversed, India failed to win a single game in the series with Bumrah in.
