Indian cricket team would be over the moon after winning the 5th Test match & squaring it by 2-2. The team, without the services of Jasprit Bumrah exceled and exceeded everyone’s expectations. Jasprit Bumrah was rested to manage his workload and he played only 3 Test matches in the series.
England would be in a state of shock after making a mess out of the 5th Test match. The side badly missed the services of skipper Ben Stokes who took a precautionary rest of a shoulder injury. The lower middle order looked fragile in Ben Stokes’ absence which hurt the team.
Irfan Pathan not happy with Jasprit Bumrah’s performance
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan didn’t mince words while assessing Bumrah’s role. In a recent statement, Irfan Pathan expressed disappointment over what he called a “held back” approach from the senior pacer. The incident that triggered most criticism? Jasprit Bumrah was bowling just five overs during a crucial phase at Lord’s — even with Joe Root, his frequent victim, at the crease.
“There were moments, like when a sixth over was needed. I spoke about this during commentary as well. Joe Root had been dismissed by him 11 times, and in that Lord’s Test, Bumrah bowled five overs. Just one more over, the sixth, could have pushed harder. I felt he held back a little there. There was also some pick-and-choose, which I’ve always been against, and that was visible too.”
Pathan added,
“To be fair, whenever he played, he did perform. He took a five-wicket haul and got his name on the Lord’s honours board. But when you’re the number one bowler, there’s an expectation of number-one level performance, and I felt he didn’t quite live up to that.”
Jasprit Bumrah’s Test series
The core of Pathan’s frustration stemmed from Bumrah’s limited participation. Out of five Tests, Bumrah played only three — a move tied to workload management. Ironically, India went on to win both matches in which he was absent. That stat alone raises a compelling question: did India adapt too well without him?
Let’s not ignore the numbers, though. In those three appearances, Bumrah bagged 14 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls and a spot on the Lord’s honours board. On paper, that’s rock solid. But Pathan — speaking like a fan and former cricketer rolled into one — rated the series a 6/10 for Bumrah. Why? Because India didn’t win the games he played in. For someone of Bumrah’s stature, expectations go beyond stats. They hinge on impact.
The lethal duo of Mohammed Siraj- Jasprti Bumrah
This critique of Irfan Pathan comes amidst India’s broader transition post the Kohli-Rohit era. With Shubman Gill leading a young, fearless squad and bowlers like Mohammed Siraj stepping up (finishing with 23 wickets in five matches), the big question now is: Is Bumrah still India’s go-to game-changer? Or are we witnessing a new era where the team shines even without its established superstars?
Adding to the equation is Bumrah’s well-known injury history. The management clearly aims to preserve him for the long haul, especially in Tests. Fair call. But when results don’t show during his presence on the field, it’s natural for eyebrows to rise. So, was Bumrah “holding back,” as Pathan suggests? Or was he being managed with the long game in mind? Cricket isn’t just a game of deliveries — it’s a game of decisions. And sometimes, the biggest impact isn’t about turning up; it’s about showing up when it counts most.
For now, Bumrah remains one of India’s most lethal weapons — but in a team bursting with youth and fearless intent, even legends must prove their worth, match after match.
Also Read: ENG vs IND : Dinesh Karthik Opens Up On Jasprit Bumrah’s Workload Management