Jasprit Bumrah was on the verge of scripting one of the greatest spells in modern Test cricket—a potential nine-wicket haul that could’ve gone down in history. But instead of a standing ovation for a record-breaking performance, he was left with 5 wickets... and a few regrets not of his own making.
India’s pace ace bowled with venom, precision, and rhythm as he tore through England’s batting line-up in the second Test. He finished with 5/83 in 24.4 overs, a performance that should have been celebrated even more emphatically. But what the scorecard doesn’t show is how much more Bumrah could’ve achieved—if only his teammates had held their nerve.
Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped three catches off Bumrah’s bowling, letting Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook off the hook. And to add salt to the wound, Bumrah had Brook dismissed for a duck—only for it to be nullified by a painful no-ball. One toe over the line denied him what could have been a spell for the ages.
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Amid the applause, a subtle but sharp comment came from none other than Sachin Tendulkar. Posting on X, he wrote, “Congratulations Bumrah! A no-ball and 3 missed chances stood between you and nau wickets.”
While congratulatory on the surface, Sachin’s message carried a deeper meaning. It wasn't just about Bumrah’s brilliance—it was a call-out to India's poor fielding and lack of support. A legend reminding the team that one man cannot win a war alone.
With this five-for, Bumrah became the first Indian bowler to claim 10 five-wicket hauls in SENA countries, overtaking Kapil Dev’s away record in just 34 Tests. He’s on the path to greatness—but moments like these remind us how fragile glory can be, when brilliance isn’t backed up.
India will remember this Test. Not for what Bumrah achieved—but for what he was denied.
