India pacer Ishant Sharma on Saturday (February 22) expressed his astonishment over the criticism his new ball partner Jasprit Bumrah is drawing after enduring failure in the first innings of Test series opener against New Zealand at Wellington.
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Bumrah failed to pick a wicket as India reduced the Kiwis to 216/5 on Day 2 after posting a paltry 165 all-out in the first essay.
"It's funny that perceptions changed after one innings. For two years, we have always taken 20 wickets, myself, Boom (Bumrah's nickname in Indian dressing room) and Shami along with Ash or Jaddu (at home). How can people question on the basis of one innings (Test)?" Ishant asked while defending his colleague.
"I don't think anyone doubts Boom's ability. Since his debut, what he has achieved for India, I don't think anyone should raise any questions," he added.
Notably, Bumrah had gone wicketless in three ODIs versus the Black Caps as India coped a rare whitewash earlier this month.
Ahead of the Test series, speedster Mohammad Shami had also defended Bumrah’s lacklustre showing in the 50-over format.
"I can understand we are discussing on a topic (after a certain length of time) not just after 2-4 games. Just because he hasn't performed in two games, you can't just ignore his ability to win matches," Shami had told had reporters during the warm-up fixture against New Zealand XI last week.
"What Bumrah has achieved for India, how can you even forget that or for that matter ignore it? So if you think positively, then it's good for the player and his confidence also," he added.
In fact, Bumrah also received support from New Zealand pacer Tim Southee, who called him a "world class bowler" and found nothing wrong in his execution.
"I don't think there's anything wrong. He is a world-class bowler. He is obviously coming back from injury, but he is a quality player, and we know a great performance is never far away when you're a quality player," Southee said while addressing the media on February 22.
Nonetheless, the veteran Kiwi paceman is rather pleased that New Zealand batsmen have been able to keep Bumrah quiet during this tour.
"Hopefully, we can keep him quiet for the rest of the tour, but good players never stay down for long. I am sure he is working extremely hard behind the scenes to take wickets.
"Sometimes you can bowl really well and actually not get the rewards you are after," said Southee in an empathetic tone.
"There might have been a few games during the one-day series and the games so far he's played where he has actually felt really good, but hasn't taken a wicket.
"So as I say, he's a world-class bowler, and hopefully, we can keep him quiet for the rest of the tour," Southee said.
(With PTI inputs)
