Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has come out strongly in defence of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, slamming critics who blamed him for India’s winless outings in the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England.
India drew the five-match Test series 2-2, with Bumrah featuring in only three games. Despite delivering standout performances and taking 14 wickets across five innings—including two five-wicket hauls—India failed to win any of the matches in which he played, losing two and drawing one. The lack of results sparked criticism, especially after Bumrah’s rare off day in the Manchester Test, where he conceded 100 runs in an innings for the first time in his international career.
However, Karthik dismissed the criticism, stating that Bumrah cannot be held responsible for India’s failure to win those games. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Karthik said: “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.”
Karthik also stressed the importance of managing Bumrah’s workload, highlighting the physical toll the pacer’s body has endured over the years.
“And I hope he will have a longer career knowing that 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 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,” he added.
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