On the eve of the fourth Test at Old Trafford against England, Pathan praised Bumrah’s extraordinary bowling skills but also urged him to make an ‘extra effort’ if needed. Pathan said on his YouTube channel:
I am a big fan of Jaspreet Bumrah. I like his skill very much. He is excellent although I believe that when you play for India, you have to give everything. When you talk about a five -over spell, when the route comes, you are not throwing the sixth over. You have to throw everything your everything, either you throw everything or rest completely.
This former left -handed fast bowler said, ‘When it comes to a country or team, when you play for a team, you play for them. The team always comes first.
Pathan clarified that he is not questioning Bumrah’s commitment to the team in any way. He said:
I am not raising the question that they have not made efforts. They have thrown overs. It doesn’t have any message. However, when it comes to making extra efforts for the team, then you have to do this. If Bumrah continues to win the match regularly for India, he will remain at the top for a long time. When the team needs you, you have to make extra efforts. Ben Stokes did this and Jofra Archer did so after four years.
Bumrah participated in the first and third Tests of the series and bowled effectively in both Leeds and Lord’s matches. In the first innings of the first match, Bumrah took five wickets, but he did not get any wicket while successfully chased England’s target of 371 runs.
In the third Test at Lord’s, Bumrah once again took five wickets in the first innings and then took two wickets in the second innings with seven wickets for 112 runs.