New Delhi: Jasprit Bumrah is Indias fast bowling sensation. He remains in headline all the time for his brillinat performace on the field. This time he ignited a social media debate following his response to a question about who the fittest cricketer in India is. Bumrah, known for his sharp deliveries and vital contributions to Team India, gave a reply that divided fans online when asked to name the countrys fittest cricketer at a recent event.Instead of giving the expected answer—widely assumed to be Virat Kohli, a player credited with revolutionizing fitness in Indian cricket—Bumrah chose to highlight fast bowlers. He remarked, I know the answer youre searching for, but I would like to say my name because I am a fast bowler. Watch the video here:Such a narcissist mf. Even in other interviews. Barely plays Test in Asian heat, rare 1-2 good knockout outings, Injured 1/3 part of his career, missed out on an ICC tournament coz of injury. Ab toh sharam karle Bumrahwale memes bante the but saar I am the fittest🤡 Starc clear pic.twitter.com/FxiZO01Ns5— iᴍ_Aʀʏᴀɴ18 (@crickohli18) September 13, 2024Bumrah went on to explain the toll fast bowling takes, especially in the harsh subcontinental heat, emphasizing that the demands placed on pace bowlers make them among the fittest athletes in the game. Being a fast bowler and playing in this country in the heat takes a lot of requirement. So Ill always promote fast bowlers and always take their name, he added.Mixed reactions from fansBumrahs response did not sit well with some cricket enthusiasts on social media. Many fans perceived the comment as dismissive of Virat Kohli, widely regarded as one of the fittest athletes not only in Indian cricket but in the global arena. Criticism mounted, with some labeling Bumrahs comment as arrogant. One user expressed discontent, writing, “I know the answer youre searching for This much arrogance after one good performance in ICC Knockouts This guy has choked in every tournament till 2023.” Another post highlighted the intense scrutiny other Indian cricket legends have faced: “Virat got trolled for failing in big games, Rohit got trolled, even Sachin was trolled. But if you speak about Bumrahs failure, suddenly youre labeled a criminal.”Support for BumrahHowever, not all responses were negative. Many fans defended Bumrah, arguing that his importance to Indian cricket, particularly in recent years, cannot be overlooked. Some pointed out how critical Bumrah has been in Indias success in various bilateral series and even in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.One supporter tweeted, “People hating on Bumrah—youre not cricket fans, plain and simple.” Another user added, “Kohli fans should be thankful to Bumrah. If not for him saving the day in the final, things might have been different.”
