In a day filled with cricketing excitement, the focus extended beyond the pitch as Sanjana Ganesan, wife of Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, took a stand against online trolls mocking their young son, Angad Bumrah, during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match between the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Wankhede Stadium on April 27, 2025. The match saw MI secure a commanding 54-run victory, with Bumrah playing a pivotal role by taking four wickets.
Sanjana, a prominent cricket broadcaster, expressed her frustration on social media, addressing a segment of the Internet that felt entitled to comment on her son’s appearance. "Our son is NOT a topic for your entertainment," she stated emphatically in her Instagram story. She explained that both she and Jasprit make every effort to shield Angad from the harsh realities of social media, which she described as a "despicable, vile place to be."
She continued, "I completely understand the implications of bringing a child to a cricket stadium filled with cameras, but please understand that Angad and I were there to support Jasprit and nothing else." This statement came after a brief video clip of Angad went viral, leading to unwarranted speculation and judgment about his demeanor.
In her heartfelt message, Sanjana urged people to refrain from making assumptions about Angad based on a mere three seconds of footage. "We have no interest in our son being viral Internet content or national news, with unnecessarily opinionated keyboard warriors deciding who Angad is, what his problem is, what his personality is, from 3 seconds of footage," she wrote, clearly upset by the insensitivity displayed by some social media users.
She further condemned the use of serious terms like "trauma" and "depression" in relation to a child. "He is one and a half years old. Throwing around words like trauma and depression in reference to a baby says so much about who we're becoming as a community and it's honestly really sad. You know NOTHING about our son, nothing about our lives and I request you to keep your opinions online true to that. A little honesty and a little kindness goes a long way in today's world," she concluded, echoing a sentiment that resonated with many who witnessed the incident.
Meanwhile, on the cricketing front, Jasprit Bumrah achieved a significant milestone during the match, surpassing franchise legend Lasith Malinga to become the highest wicket-taker for the Mumbai Indians in IPL history. In a stellar performance, he claimed four wickets for just 22 runs in his four overs, showcasing his remarkable skills and helping MI secure their fifth consecutive victory.
This win places MI third on the IPL points table, with six victories from nine matches. Bumrah’s performance has been crucial in this successful run, as he has now taken nine wickets in just six innings this season, demonstrating that he is back to his best after recovering from a back injury sustained earlier in the year.
As the IPL season progresses, the focus remains not just on the players and their performances but also on the impact of social media on athletes and their families. The incident involving Sanjana and Angad serves as a reminder of the challenges public figures face in maintaining their privacy and protecting their loved ones from unwarranted scrutiny.
Fans of both the Mumbai Indians and Jasprit Bumrah have shown overwhelming support for the couple, applauding Sanjana's courage to speak out against online bullying. The couple, married in 2021, welcomed their son Angad in September 2023, and have always been admired for their close-knit family and humility.
In a world where social media often blurs the lines between public and private lives, the Bumrah family's experience underlines the need for empathy and understanding, especially towards children who are unwittingly thrust into the spotlight. As the IPL continues, it will be interesting to see how players and their families navigate the complexities of fame while striving to maintain their personal lives.
