"Even Sachin was judged": Jasprit Bumrah refuses to pay heed to critics

India are currently locked in battle with England in the third Test of the five-match series at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground. Day 2 of the third India vs England Test turned into another show of Bumrah’s brilliance. The Indian pace spearhead put in another stellar performance to claim five wickets and restrict England to 387 in their first innings. With this feat, Jasprit Bumrah earned a place on the prestigious Lord’s Honours Board.

Jasprit Bumrah dashes the debate around his workload management following a spectacular spell in the Lord's Test

The debate around the workload management of Jasprit Bumrah has been a central point of discussion. It was confirmed before the series that the pacer would feature in only three of the five India vs England Tests. Following this plan, Bumrah skipped the Edgbaston Test to prepare for the match at Lord's. His absence in the second Test due to workload management sparked considerable debate within the cricketing fraternity.

Before India claimed a massive 336-run victory, their first-ever Test win at Edgbaston, experts had questioned the team selection. The visitors had opened the series with a five-wicket defeat at Headingley. With a chance to level the series in Birmingham, the cricketing fraternity wondered whether a crucial match like this didn’t warrant Bumrah’s inclusion in the playing XI. However, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep stepped up as India clinched the win. Now, with Bumrah completing another five-wicket haul, the pacer has responded to the critics in the best way, both with the ball and his words.

The 31-year-old dismantled key English batters, removing Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Jofra Archer at Lord's. Moreover, Bumrah completed his five-wicket haul removing Chris Woakes who was caught behind by substitute keeper Dhruv Jurel. Speaking to reporters after the close of play, Bumrah addressed the ongoing chatter about his limited appearances in the five-match Test series.

“It's good to be on the Honours board, but I know that discussions will keep happening. There are so many cameras here. Even when we practice, there are so many cameras,” said Bumrah. “This is the era of views, subscribers. I know that everyone wants to create something sensational. Things happen, but it's not in my hands,” he added. 

Brushing off the criticism, Bumrah said he wasn’t concerned with public opinion, noting that in today’s media-heavy environment, people talk simply to gain views and followers. He pointed out that even a legend like Sachin Tendulkar faced constant scrutiny throughout his career, despite playing 200 Tests. Bumrah emphasized that he can’t control external narratives and is content that people are at least earning from talking about him.

“Log paise kama rahe hai mere through toh achi baat hai. At least they will give me blessings that I gave them viewership. But I don't think about all those things. You will be judged as long as you are wearing this jersey. Every cricketer goes through that,” said Bumrah. 

“As long as I am on TV, judgments will keep coming. Obviously, that's part and parcel of professional sport. You will always be judged by your performances day in and day out. Sachin sir played 200 Test matches, and he was also still judged. So everybody judges. That's how it is,” he added.

The five-wicket haul in the third India vs England Test marked Bumrah’s 16th in Test cricket and his 13th away from home, a record for any Indian bowler. In doing so, he surpassed the great Kapil Dev, whose tally of 12 overseas five-fors had stood as the national record for 34 years. The express pacer also shared his happiness at etching his name on the Lord's Honours Board following his exceptional spell on Day 2.