Sunil Gavaskar criticises crowd chants while Jasprit Bumrah bowls

'They can do it between overs, but not during the over'

Source: PTI - Edited By: Aadharsh A V

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March 05, 2026 23:47 IST

Jasprit Bumrah

IMAGE: Jasprit Bumrah celebrates the dismissal of England's Jacob Bethell during the second semifinal of the T20 World Cup in Mumbai on Thursday. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

Key Points

Sunil Gavaskar deems it inappropriate for spectators to chant Jasprit Bumrah's name while he bowls.
The incident occurred during the India-England T20 World Cup semifinal in Mumbai.
Gavaskar believes crowd chants are acceptable between overs but not during an over, especially in a World Cup match.

Legendary Sunil Gavaskar said it is inappropriate to ask the spectators to chant Jasprit Bumrah's name while the Indian pacer is on his delivery stride during an important assignment like the ICC T20 World Cup semifinal match.

During the second semifinal between India and England at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, the DJ urged spectators to chant "Boom Boom Bumrah" while Bumrah was preparing to bowl.

India were defending 254 against England.

Gavaskar's concerns

"Asking the crowd to chant 'Boom Boom Bumrah' while he is bowling is not a good idea. They can do it between overs, but not during the over. This is a World Cup," Gavaskar said while commentating on the match.

Earlier, Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri had strongly criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for organising a laser show during a tense T20 World Cup Super 8 clash between India and the West Indies cricket team at the Eden Gardens.

T20 World Cup 2026

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