This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
‘Don’t play at all…’: Jasprit Bumrah targeted for ‘Preference’ to feature in England series
Talking about Jasprit Bumrah and him playing in only three Tests of the five-match series against England in name of 'workload management', Dilip Vengsarkar blasted the pacer to have personal preferences.
Last Updated on - July 17, 2025 6:41 PM IST
Following the 22-run loss at Lord’s Test, India is trailing 1-2 against England in the ongoing five-match series. To secure a victory in the series, the visitors will now have to win both of the remaining matches, which is a great deal for the team. What adds to the pressure is the uncertainty that looms over the inclusion of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
Before the series began, it was declared by chief selector Ajit Agarkar that Jasprit Bumrah will only play three of the five matches in order to manage his workload. However, reaction to this case, former Indian player Dilip Vengsarkar stated that the players need to feature in all the match of the series and there should not be any “personal preference.”
“I’m not in favour of bowlers picking and choosing Test matches. If you’re fit and available, you should play all the matches for your country. Bumrah is a world-class bowler, and he can win matches for India. But once you’re on tour, you need to play every match. There’s no question of selecting matches based on personal preference,” Vengsarkar told RevSportz.
TRENDING NOW
This concept of resting Jasprit Bumrah in between the series was introduced after the pacer faced a back injury during the Australia tour of 2024-25- the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This back spasm caused Bumrah to miss competitive cricket for three months straight.
“What is important is playing for India and if you are unfit, then don’t play at all. He had a gap of almost 7-8 days after the first Test match, but still was not included for the second Test which was not acceptable. Maybe it was acceptable for Agarkar and Gambhir,” Vengsarkar said.
Speaking about the series so far, India lost the opening clash in Leeds by 5 wickets, then bounced back with a dominant 336-run victory in Edgbaston. The third Test was a thriller that witnessed the hosts winning by a narrow margin of 22 runs and getting a lead in the series. The next clash is going to begin July 23rd, and will be held at Old Trafford in Manchester.