Should Bumrah had to jump IPL 2025 before the tests in England? The former coach in India points his fingers to BCCI

Former India cricket team bowling coach Bharat Arun has opined that Jasprit Bumrah should have skipped IPL 2025 in order to be “preserved” for the five-match IND vs ENG Test series. Being India’s most overworked bowler in the previous calendar year, the pacer sustained a back injury during the IND vs AUS 5th Test which saw him be on the sidelines for more than 3 months. While he did make his comeback in IPL 2025 and played 12 games, Bumrah opted to feature only in 3 Tests in England.

Did Bumrah err by not skipping IPL 2025?

Speaking on Bombay Sports Exchange podcast, Arun explained that it was important for fast bowlers to be preserved, noting that while batters and spinners could play all formats, it wasn’t possible for pacers. He backed the idea of pacers like Bumrah to be rested from IPL 2025 before an important five-match Test series like the one with England to ensure that he can take part in all five games. The ex-India bowling coach further said that the onus is on the BCCI to ensure that Bumrah is properly compensated and is told as to what aspect they want him to work on.

“Definitely, this would help. Especially when you want to preserve bowlers. People like Bumrah or any other bowler we feel is very important for a particular series can be rested, and they can also be adequately compensated. If he’s properly compensated and then told by the BCCI, because he’s on contract, that we want you to work on this particular aspect of your game, I think that’s fair enough,” Arun said.

The former India bowling coach’s remarks come months after ex-India star Dilip Vengsarkar echoed similar sentiments. Bumrah featured in 12 games for MI in IPL 2025 and bagged 18 wickets. In the IND vs ENG series, he played in 3 Tests – at Headingley, Lord’s and Old Trafford. He managed to take 14 wickets, including 2 five-wicket hauls. Intrestingly, both games that India won in the series came in the absence of Bumrah.