Sachin Tendulkar hits out at online trolls targeting Jasprit Bumrah: ‘Just a coincidence India won Tests he didn’t play’

Legendary Sachin Tendulkar has come out in support of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been trolled online by Indian cricket fans for missing the Tests matches the team won in England Test series. read more

Sachin Tendulkar has come out in support Jasprit Bumrah after he was trolled online. Images: Reuters

Sachin Tendulkar has hit out at online trolls as Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah continues to face criticism for missing two Test matches in the recently concluded Test series against England that finished 2-2. India won the final Test at the Oval by six wickets in a thrilling fashion to draw the series. However, Bumrah was not a part of the match.

The 31-year-old pacer was also not a part of the playing XI when India won their first match of the series in the second Test at Edgbaston. Even before the tour started, head coach Gautam Gambhir had announced that Bumrah would not play three out of five Tests in England to manage his workload as the bowler has been facing recurring back issues.

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However, with India 2-1 down in the series, fans felt that Bumrah should have played the final Test match, having already played three Tests in the series. Initial reports suggested that the decision to rest Bumrah at the Oval was taken by the player along with the management and selectors. But another report later stated that Bumrah had a knee injury.

Tendulkar supports Bumrah, hits out at online trolls

Nonetheless, Bumrah has been facing constant criticism on social media. But Tendulkar has come out in his support, hitting out at the detractors.

Tendulkar lauded Bumrah as an “exceptional” bowler and said that India winning the Test matches that he missed was “just a coincidence.”

“I know people are discussing a number of things – jo Tests khela nahi, voh hum jeete (India won the Tests he didn’t play) and all that. To me that’s just a coincidence, to be honest,” Tendulkar said in a video on Reddit.

Bumrah finished the series with 14 wickets from three matches and two five-wicket hauls. Sachin acknowledged Bumrah’s sensational form in the limited matches that he played.

“Bumrah started off really well, got five wickets in the first Test. He didn’t play the second but in the third and fourth again at Lord’s he got 5 wickets. So, out of 3 Tests he played, he has picked five wickets twice,” Tendulkar said.

The former India captain Tendulkar also hailed Bumrah as a consistent performer who belongs to the top of the Indian cricket ladder.

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“The quality of Bumrah is exceptional. It’s unbelievable what he has been able to do so far. To me, he has been a consistent performer without any doubt, I would put him right at the top with anyone else.”

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