Bumrah's Key Dismissal Sparks Controversy Ahead of India vs England Semifinal

Jasprit Bumrah's dismissal of Shimron Hetmyer has stirred controversy ahead of India's semifinal against England. Hetmyer's explosive start raised questions about the umpire's decision, with Mohammad Amir claiming the batsman was not out. As India prepares for this crucial match, Amir's predictions about India's chances in the tournament add to the intrigue. Will India's performance hold up against a formidable England side? Read on to find out more about this unfolding cricket drama.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 2, 2026, 13:51 IST

Bumrah's Impactful Bowling Against West Indies

In a surprising turn of events, India took two overs to introduce Jasprit Bumrah against Shimron Hetmyer, who had already begun to dominate the Indian bowlers, scoring 27 runs off his first 11 balls, including several boundaries against Varun Chakravarthy and Hardik Pandya. Bumrah, however, managed to dismiss the aggressive batsman with just three deliveries. This wicket not only shocked the West Indies team but also ignited a debate in Pakistan, where veteran cricketer Mohammad Amir questioned the umpire's decision.

Bumrah bowled a short delivery that angled across Hetmyer, who attempted to slog it but ended up edging it to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson. Umpire Chris Gaffaney raised his finger immediately after Bumrah's appeal. Despite the UltraEdge confirming the decision, Hetmyer and his teammates were visibly dissatisfied. Amir expressed his belief that Hetmyer was not out, suggesting that had he batted longer, India could have faced elimination.

Amir stated, "I feel that Hetmyer’s dismissal was controversial. I don’t think he was out. If he had stayed there a little longer and the score had reached 220–230, India would have been knocked out today." As India prepares for a semifinal clash against England at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, the outcome of Amir's prediction remains uncertain. This matchup marks the third consecutive World Cup semifinal between the two teams, with each having won once in the previous encounters.

Amir's comments may stem from his earlier assertion that India would not reach the semifinals, a claim that proved incorrect. Despite India's qualification, he maintains that they are not the favorites to win the tournament. He criticized India's bowling and fielding performance against the West Indies, stating, "Overall, if you look at it from a pure cricketing perspective, India are not playing good cricket. I firmly believe this. Check their fielding; they dropped three or four catches. Except for Bumrah, every bowler is getting smashed." He further noted that India's upcoming opponents in the semifinals are stronger spinners than those faced so far.

As the Indian team gears up for the semifinal against England, it will be interesting to see if Amir's predictions hold any weight.