FAN loyalty in sports can be really tricky. Many performers have found the dark side of fandom even at the hint of a failure. From peaks to troughs, sportspersons are hurled down with disdain by their so-called supporters. Stardom is an unforgiving world. Even the best in their business have experienced it in their career. This time the target is India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has been pilloried by fans for a perceived failure in the England series. Critics on the social media are making outrageous comments to deride Bumrah for his absence in two Tests in the enthralling series which India drew 2-2. Incidentally, the two Test matches India won did not feature Bumrah in the playing XI. In both the games, the pace attack led by Mohammad Siraj came to the party to give India two spectacularly famous victories. Stand-out among the two victories was the win at Oval which came against all odds as Siraj unleashed a lethal spell on the last day to justify the tag of being the strike bowler of the team in absence of Bumrah.

 

It has led to a tirade against the senior pace bowler questioning his need for the team. Fan loyalties have remained fickle across sectors. Heroes of today are riled the next moment when the results do not go in favour of the supporters’ choice. Judging Bumrah on just two games where India incidentally emerged winner is total nonsense. It is the case of missing woods for the trees. The quality Bumrah brings to an attack need to be seen from a larger lens, encompassing his career so far with the Indian team. From a bowler with an unorthodox action, the Gujarat pacer has established himself across formats as the spearhead of Indian fast bowling. His emergence as a top pace bowler in the world and the aura he gave to India’s bowling cannot be negated on a couple of failures.

 

It will be grossly unfair for the pacer who has put championed India’s cause relentlessly for so many years. Bumrah’s legacy needs to be seen from a broader perspective. He has remained one of the major factors behind India’s overseas success. In most of the 13 victories India registered in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia), Bumrah played a central role. This contribution cannot be rebuffed as wins in these countries are rare for teams from the sub-continent. In the last tour to Australia, where India won just a single Test that too under Bumrah’s captaincy, the pace spearhead had created a terror among the Aussie batsmen. The entire series had panned out as Australia against Jasprit Bumrah. The importance of Bumrah can be gauged from his tender care by the team management. He is being wrapped in cotton wool, his appearance is managed to preserve the pacer’s fragile body. The fans must keep in mind that it was Bumrah’s mentorship that has helped India to grow its fast bowling depth. It cannot be denied by the fickle fans.