Ganguly hopes Bumrah to get support from fellow pacers to play all five Tests against England

IANS June 23, 2025 240 views

Ganguly wants India's other fast bowlers to share the workload so Bumrah can feature in all five Tests against England. Bumrah's five-wicket haul kept India in the game despite expensive spells from Siraj and Krishna. The pace spearhead revealed how he overcame years of skepticism about his unorthodox action. With India leading by 96 runs, the series hangs in balance as Gill and Rahul resume batting.

"Such a pleasure to watch Bumrah bowl in all formats...hope he gets support to play 5 tests" - Sourav Ganguly
Ganguly hopes Bumrah to get support from fellow pacers to play all five Tests against England
New Delhi, June 23: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is hoping that fellow pacers will contribute more in the ongoing Test series against England and release pressure from pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah so that he can be available for all five matches of the tour.

Key Points

1

Bumrah took 5-83 in England's 1st innings despite injury concerns

2

Ganguly flags Siraj, Krishna's expensive spells

3

Bumrah credits belief for 10-year career amid doubters

4

India lead by 96 runs with Gill, Rahul batting

Bumrah was India's standout bowler and helped the side to bundle out hosts for 465 in their first innings on Day 3. He returned with the figures of 5-83 in 24.4 overs. Despite being injury-prone and also managing his workload on the tour, he bowled the second-most overs for India, Mohammed Siraj bowled the most - 27 overs - for the visiting side.

Former BCCI president lauded Bumrah's adaptability to contribute in all formats of the game for the country. However, the legendary left-handed batter pointed out a lack of support from fellow pacers including Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna and Siraj.

Krishna bagged three wickets while Siraj got hold of two scalps but both of them leaked more than hundred runs which reduced India's first-innings lead to just six runs.

Ganguly believes Bumrah's presence in India's playing XI will keep them alive in the five-Test crucial series on 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 wrote on X.

After the end of play on Sunday, Bumrah credited his belief to play for India for more than a decade despite his injury struggles due to his unorthodox action.

"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 from 90/2 with captain Shubman Gill, who scored a career-best 147 in the first innings, unbeaten on 6 while opener KL Rahul is not out on 47. India are leading by 96 runs.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Bumrah is truly a once-in-a-generation bowler! 🏏 But Dada is right - we can't keep overworking him. Siraj needs to step up and bowl more economically. Remember how Zaheer Khan used to mentor young pacers? We need that kind of senior-junior partnership now.
P
Priya M.
Bumrah's fitness journey is so inspiring! From being written off to becoming our bowling spearhead across formats. But honestly, our pace bench strength looks weak compared to England's. Maybe time to give Arshdeep or Umran a chance in Tests?
A
Amit S.
While Bumrah is class apart, we're missing someone like Ishant Sharma who could hold one end tight in England conditions. Thakur's bowling has been disappointing - he's neither containing runs nor taking wickets. Time to bring in Jadeja as all-rounder?
S
Sneha R.
Bumrah's mental strength is incredible! But why aren't we talking about workload management? Playing all 5 Tests might risk another injury. Maybe rotate him for 4 matches and give Mukesh Kumar a chance in one Test? Long-term thinking is important.
V
Vikram J.
Ganguly's concern is valid but let's not forget this is England tour - toughest for any fast bowler. Our batsmen need to put up big totals to reduce pressure on bowlers. That first innings lead of just 6 runs shows batting failed to capitalize too.
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Neha P.
Bumrah's story gives me goosebumps! đź’™ But our bowling coach needs to work harder with other pacers. Look how Anderson mentors England's young bowlers. We need that culture where seniors actively guide juniors, not just focus on their own game.

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Tags:
India vs England Jasprit Bumrah Sourav Ganguly Test cricket Mohammed Siraj Prasidh Krishna