Speaking on the hot debate about pacer Jasprit Bumrah's workload management, which saw the veteran play just three out of the five Tests against England, cricketer-turned-expert Dilip Vengsarkar has shared a different take on the matter. While a lot of experts stated that pacer should have played all five Tests with the series in line, the former Indian captain said that Bumrah should have instead instructed not to play the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season, to keep himself refreshed & raring to go for the five Tests.
Notably, India went on to level the series 2-2, with one of their wins coming when the pace spearhead was rested due to workload issues. While Mohammed Siraj stepped up in Bumrah's absence, things would have gone worse if the scenario had panned out otherwise.
"Considering the importance of the India versus England Test series and his fragile back, Jasprit Bumrah should have been told by the BCCI, selectors, and the Indian Cricket Team management to miss the IPL 2025. It was very important that we had a fully fit and refreshed Bumrah for the iconic series. If I were the Indian chief selector, I would have convinced Mukesh Ambani (Mumbai Indians owner) and Bumrah that it was very important for him to miss the IPL for the England series, or play a lesser number of matches in the IPL. I am sure that they would have agreed to do so.
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"Who remembers the runs & wickets taken in IPL? However, people will remember Mohammed Siraj's lion-hearted performance in this series (23 wickets in five Tests), Shubman Gill's (754 runs in five Tests), KL Rahul's (532), and Yashasvi Jaiswal's (411). Rishabh Pant (479) sublime batting, and Washington Sundar's superb all-round performance (284 runs & 7 wickets in four Tests).
A series like this one takes place probably once in four years. I believe India is not playing a five-Test series till Jan 2027 (against Australia). It was a series for the ages, and I wish Bumrah were available for almost all the Tests. We could have won the series if that was the case," Vegsarkar told TOI.
Notably, Bumrah played 12 IPL games, bowling 47.2 overs in which he took 18 wickets. The pacer went on to take 14 wickets in three Tests at an average of 26 during the England series. He missed the third & fifth Test.
Vengsarkar disagrees with Bumrah's critics about the workload issue
The expert did not agree with several other Indian experts and critics about the pace spearhead's workload issues, that he should have played all the Tests.
"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 felt.
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It remains to be seen if the pacer plays the Asia Cup 2025 event, starting on September 09 to 28, or the selection panel rests him for the Continental Cup. India will next play a Test series against the West Indies, starting October 02.
