“Would’ve convinced Mukesh Ambani”- Vengsarkar says Jasprit Bumrah should’ve skipped IPL for England Test series

With 14 wickets in just three Test matches, including two five-wicket hauls, including one at Lord's in the third Test, Jasprit Bumrah had an outstanding Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 in England. He only made a few appearances to control his workload. 

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In contrast, Mohammed Siraj participated in all five Test matches, bowling more than 1,100 balls and taking 31 wickets. He bowled with great heart to fill the vacuum left by Bumrah's absence, even winning Player of the Match for India's six-run victory in the last Test at The Oval. 

In order to concentrate on Test cricket, the pacer ought to have skipped the Mumbai Indians' 2025 IPL season, according to former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar. After experiencing a back spasm in Sydney, Bumrah missed the ICC Men's Champions Trophy despite having participated in all five Test matches in Australia.

“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.

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If I were 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 told the Times of India.

Who remembers runs and wickets in IPL?- Vengsarkar on Bumrah preferring IPL over Tests 

Vengsarkar also stated that Test cricket is still the epitome of the game and achievements in that format are remembered for ages. On the other hand, he stated that no one remembers how many runs or wickets one takes in the IPL for a long time.

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“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,” he said.  

Vengsarkar added that Bumrah’s full availability could have changed the outcome of the series, though his recent back surgery warranted caution.

“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. 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 to 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," he said.

Now that he has some time to recover, Bumrah can prepare for India's upcoming Asia Cup 2025 and their October home Test series against the West Indies.

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