Dilip Vengsarkar says Jasprit Bumrah should have been made available for all five Tests

Vengsarkar believes that Bumrah should have been asked to miss the IPL 2025 to be available for all five Tests against England.

Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar recently spoke about Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in Tests against England. The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series between England and India ended on level terms, 2-2. However, Jasprit Bumrah could only be a part of three Tests owing to workload management.

Dilip Vengsarkar believes Jasprit Bumrah should have missed IPL 2025.

The former India captain believes that Bumrah should have missed the IPL 2025 season for the Mumbai Indians to prioritise the Test series against England. He told TOI, “Considering the importance of the India versus England Test 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.” He added, “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.”

Vengsarkar asks who remembers the runs and wickets in the IPL.

Vengsarkar said, “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. 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.” He added, “You can’t blame Bumrah for missing matches at times. We must remember that Bumrah has undergone 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.”