Irfan Pathan denies criticising Bumrah’s usage, slams media for spreading ‘fake news’

Former Team India pacer Irfan Pathan has slammed the media for spreading fake news regarding his comments on Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management after India’s 22-run loss at Lord’s in the third Test.

After being rested for the second Test at Edgbaston, Bumrah returned to the playing XI for the Lord’s Test and picked up seven wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings. However, India eventually lost the match.

News18, a reputed Indian media channel, reported that Pathan, on his YouTube channel, criticised Team India’s usage of Bumrah, claiming that the pacer was not given longer spells. But Pathan has now come out on X (formerly Twitter), denying those claims and urging media not to spread misinformation, clarifying that he never questioned the team’s approach.

Pathan wrote: “Absolutely not. If Bumrah wanted to bowl another over or asked the captain for one when Joe Root came in, no team or management in the world would stop him. So please stop spreading fake news—I never questioned Team India on this.”

However, in the original video that sparked the controversy, Pathan was heard pointing out that Bumrah could have bowled longer spells and even compared his workload with that of England skipper Ben Stokes.

He had said: "Ben Stokes bowled a marathon spell of 9.2 overs (on Day 5). He bats, bowls, effects run-outs but nobody talks about (his) workload when he’s bowling. Jasprit Bumrah bowled five overs and then stopped (when Joe Root came in to bat) – it was the phase when you had to take control of the game. Stokes wears several hats – batting, bowling, captaincy, fielding – he does everything. If he can bowl a 9-over spell for his team, then I feel we were left behind here. You expect your top bowler to seize the moment.”

Looking ahead, India will play the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester, starting July 23. With a week's break since the last Test and India trailing 1-2 in the series, Bumrah is expected to return to the XI once again to lead the attack in a must-win game for the visitors.

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