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Ganguly hopes other pacers will support Bumrah in the Test series against England. Bumrah took 5-83 in the first innings, but Ganguly noted the lack of support from other bowlers.
Ganguly hopes other pacers will step up like Bumrah has. (BCCI Photo)
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly hopes that other pacers will step up in the ongoing Test series against England to relieve pressure off Jasprit Bumrah, ensuring he remains available for all five matches of the tour.
Bumrah, the standout bowler for India, helped bundle out the hosts for 465 in their first innings on Day 3 with figures of 5-83 in 24.4 overs. Despite being injury-prone and managing his workload, he bowled the second-most overs for India, with Mohammed Siraj leading with 27 overs.
The former BCCI president praised Bumrah’s adaptability to contribute across all formats. However, he noted the lack of support from fellow pacers like Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, and Siraj.
Krishna claimed three wickets while Siraj took two, but both conceded over a hundred runs, reducing India’s first-innings lead to just six runs.
Ganguly believes Bumrah’s presence in the playing XI is crucial for India to stay competitive in the five-Test series in challenging English conditions.
“Such a pleasure to watch Bumrah bowl in all formats of the game .. hope fully, he will get support from the other end so that he can play 5 tests .. it will keep India in the series .. @bcci @Jaspritbumrah93,” Ganguly posted on X.
Such a pleasure to watch Bumrah bowl in all formats of the game .. hope fully he will get support from the other end so that he can play 5 tests .. it will keep india in the series ..@bcci @Jaspritbumrah93— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) June 23, 2025
After the end of play on Sunday, Bumrah credited his decade-long career to his belief and unorthodox action, despite his injury struggles.
“I always wanted to play for India. I played for India on my belief. I have played every format on my belief. I have always heard ‘no’ from people. First, they said ‘you won’t be able to play’; then they said ‘you will last only six months’; then they said ‘you will last only eight months’, and just like that I have spent ten years in international cricket listening to all this. I have played the IPL for 12-13 years.
“Even now people keep saying this injury will be it. Keep waiting, I will not think about that. I will keep doing my work. Every three-four months there will be headlines but, let’s see, I will play till it is in my destiny. I prepare my best, and leave the rest to god. Whatever barkat (abundance or good fortune) god has given me, I try to carry it forward, and try to take Indian cricket forward.”
On Day 4, India will resume their second innings at 90/2, with captain Shubman Gill, who scored a career-best 147 in the first innings, unbeaten on 6, while opener KL Rahul remains not out on 47. India leads by 96 runs.
(With IANS Inputs).
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