According to former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, Jasprit Bumrah should have either skipped the Indian Premier League 2025 entirely or played in just a few games in order to be healthy for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy that followed. During the tour of England, Jasprit only participated in three of the five Test matches because the Indian team management closely monitored his workload.
Vengsarkar stated that he would have spoken with Jasprit and Mumbai Indians (MI) owner Mukesh Ambani if he had been India’s head selector. He advised the talismanic bowler to play just a few IPL matches in order to be healthy and ready for the England tour.
Notably, Jasprit participated in all five Test matches against Australia in the 2024–2025 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But in the fifth and final Test match, he suffered a stress fracture to his back, which prevented him from playing in the Champions Trophy that followed. Before joining the five-time champs, Bumrah also missed the first few IPL games.
“If I had been in charge of India’s selection, I would have persuaded Bumrah and Mumbai Indians owner Mukesh Ambani that it was crucial that Bumrah skip the IPL for the England series or play fewer IPL games. Vengsarkar assured TOI that they would have consented to do so.
The BCCI, selectors, and Indian team management ought to have advised Bumrah to skip the 2025 Indian Premier League given the significance of the India vs. England Test series and his weakened back. For this legendary series, it was crucial that Bumrah was healthy and in good shape.
It is important to keep in mind that Bumrah had back surgery: Vengsarkar
Vengsarkar reminded everyone that Jasprit, 31, just underwent back surgery, despite some fans and experts criticising him for picking and selecting games on the England tour. Talk of the right-arm seamer’s dedication to the country was dismissed by the 69-year-old.
“Jasprit occasional absences from matches are not her fault. We have to keep in mind that Bumrah had back surgery. We have to be careful around him because his back is weak. His dedication to the nation is undeniable. Every time he has played for India, he has given it his all. “I hope he gets enough rest and is well enough to go back to India,” Vengsarkar remarked.
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