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Would Have Asked Ambani To Rest Bumrah From IPL For England Tests: Former Captain
Follow UsWhile critical of the decision to rest Bumrah, Vengsarkar defended the pacer’s need to manage his workload
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar believes Jasprit Bumrah should have skipped the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 to remain available for the full five-match Test series against England, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Bumrah was rested for two Tests to manage his workload, playing only the first, third, and fourth matches. India lost two of those three games and drew the other, while they won both Tests in which he did not feature.
"Considering the importance of the India versus England Tests series and his fragile back, Bumrah should have been told by the BCCI, selectors and the Indian team management to miss IPL-2025. It was very important that we had a fully fit and refreshed Bumrah for this iconic series,” Vengsarkar told TOI.
“If I was the India chief selector, I would have convinced Mukesh Ambani (Mumbai Indians owner) and Bumrah that it was important for Bumrah to miss the IPL for the England series, or play a lesser number of matches in the IPL. I’m sure that they would have agreed to do so.
“Who remembers the runs and wickets taken in the IPL? However, people will remember Mohammed Siraj's lion-hearted performance in this series, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant's sublime batting, and Washington Sundar's superb all-round performance.
“A series like this one takes place probably once in four years. I believe India are not playing a five-Test series till Jan 2027 (against Australia). It was a series for the ages and I wish Bumrah was available for almost all the Tests. We could have won the series if that was the case.”
While critical of the decision to rest Bumrah, Vengsarkar defended the pacer’s need to manage his workload. "You can’t blame Bumrah for missing matches at times. We must remember that Bumrah has undergone a back surgery. His back is vulnerable and we must be cautious with him.
“You can’t question his commitment for the country. He has given his all whenever he has played for India. I hope he returns for India after adequate rest and when fully fit.”
Vengsarkar also weighed in on Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket before the England series, saying he would have preferred the timing to be different. "If I was the India chief selector, I would have persuaded Virat to bid goodbye to Test cricket after playing the England series. We needed his class and experience in this series.”