Since the end of the fifth Test of the five-match Test series at Kennington Oval against England, Jasprit Bumrah has faced several criticisms for missing the decider. Many reckoned that due to playing the IPL 2025 for the Mumbai Indians, they were tired by the end of the seven-week tour. Bumrah, as the head coach highlighted, played three Tests at Leeds, Lord’s, and Manchester of the series.

The former batter, Dilip Vengsarkar, has debated around the pacer’s workload. He reckoned that the BCCI, the selectors, and the management could have convinced the franchise to let Bumrah skip the IPL to stay fresh for the red-ball series in England. He felt that had the Ahmedabad-born played all the games, they could have won the series comfortably.

See Also: "Getting hold of..."- Abhishek Nayar comments on challenges of coaching ahead of WPL 2026

“Considering the importance of the India versus England Tests 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.” Dilip Vengsarkar expressed in The Times of India.

“Jasprit Bumrah’s back is vulnerable, and we must be cautious with him.”- Dilip Vengsarkar

The Gujarat pacer had an incredible IPL 2025 where he finished with 18 wickets in 12 innings at an average of 17.55 and an economy rate of 6.67, thanks to the best bowling figures of 4/22 in an innings. He finished the England trip with 14 wickets in five innings, including two five-wicket hauls at Leeds and Lord’s.

“If I were the Indian 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.” He added during the same interaction.

“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.” He concluded.

Playing in England is a significant challenge, as conditions are tough for both batters and bowlers. The Indian team has witnessed some high-class and legendary performers who have showcased solid temperament and technique in the past, enabling them to sustain themselves in challenging English conditions. Indian cricket has produced some class performers, be it the bowlers or the batters, who have stood firm in tough English conditions.

In this piece, we discuss three Indian batters who have highlighted their calibre through their determined and gritty temperament and rock-solid technique to score centuries in English conditions. The batters mentioned in the list possessed different techniques, and their stroke play varied depending on their strengths of playing on different wickets and their approach against different bowlers, but these batters showcased tremendous mental as well as physical toughness to score big hundreds in what are considered the most challenging playing conditions.

These batters approached different situations depending on their temperament and had specific plans while facing different bowlers during different situations, but they showcased a resolute approach to score big hundreds. We take a look at these legendary batters in detail:

1.Rahul Dravid (6 Centuries in 13 Tests)-

''The Wall," as he was called during his playing career, showcased resoluteness in challenging English conditions with his calm temperament, patience and rock-solid technique. Arguably amongst the greatest test players in Indian cricketing history, Dravid showcased why he was considered technically strong with his effortless stroke play and his ability to score centuries consistently in conditions that favour the bowlers.

The former India skipper and coach scored 6 centuries in the 13 tests he played in England. His 217 at Kennington Oval will be remembered for generations. His timing and placement were pure class. The former right-hander will always be respected for his kind and helpful nature alongside his cricketing talent..

2. Sachin Tendulkar (4 Centuries in 17 Tests)-

"Master Blaster" Sachin Tendulkar showcased tremendous adaptability in different playing conditions in England in tests. His strokeplay also varied, keeping in mind the wickets in England that helped him score big centuries in England. The former India captain is a humble personality who is known to help others through his social work alongside his legendary cricketing skills.

 Tendulkar showcased fearless stroke play combined with his ability to play the ball late on English wickets, even though the wicket offered seam movement. When the ball swung late, Tendulkar depended on back-foot punches and classic drives. The former right-hander scored 4 centuries in the 17 tests he played in England. His straight drives will be remembered in England. His 193 at Headingley in 2002 and 177 at Trent Bridge in 1996 were classic.

Also Read: Top 5 players with the most catches in Test Cricket

3.Dilip Vengsarkar (4 Centuries in 13 Tests)-

Vengsarkar showcased all-around stroke play on all sides of the wicket that enabled him to score centuries with consistency in England. The former India captain's effortless and elegant strokeplay was praised in England when he looked at his best. The former right-hander scored 4 centuries in 13 tests in England.

Whether it was playing the square cuts, pulls, driving the ball or playing a straight drive, Vengsarkar was simply brilliant with his strokeplay. His front-foot punches against some of the best English bowlers helped him score heavily in England. "Colonel", as he was fondly called during his playing days, scored a brilliant 157 at Lords in 1982 that is unforgettable.

Yashasvi Jaiswal began the England tour on a high note, smashing a brilliant century in the first innings of the opening Test at Headingley. However, his form dipped in the following matches, managing just one half-century in his next five innings, raising concerns about consistency.

During the third Test at Lord’s, Jaiswal struggled against Jofra Archer, who dismissed him in both innings. His second-innings dismissal attracted heavy criticism, as he attempted a risky pull shot early in the innings while India was chasing 193 on a challenging pitch. The ball took the top edge and was easily caught by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, putting India under pressure right from the start.

Amid this lean patch, Jaiswal has been offered crucial guidance from a veteran World Cup-winning player. The experienced cricketer suggested that the young batter should improve his shot selection and adjust to match conditions more wisely, which will help him recover his form and perform better in the upcoming matches of the series.

See Also: 'Can do a little bit of damage with....' – Ex-Aussie spinner makes big claim about India's combination for ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test

Dilip Vengsarkar’s Remark on Yashasvi Jaiswal:

Veteran Indian cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar praised Yashasvi Jaiswal's talent but advised him to control his aggressive approach. He emphasized the importance of patience, suggesting that Jaiswal should focus on playing each delivery based on its merit rather than going for risky shots too early, especially in challenging conditions like those in England.

Speaking to RevSportz, Dilip Vengsarkar said, “ Jaiswal is a good player with a lot of potential, but he needs to curb his aggressive instincts at times. In Test cricket, you have to play each ball on its merit. A slight mistake and you’re out. Since his hundred, he hasn’t been among the runs, but consistency is key at the highest level. I expect a lot from him in Test cricket.”

Across the three Test matches so far, Yashasvi Jaiswal has managed to score 233 runs. However, his performance dipped at Lord’s, where he couldn’t find his touch, managing just 13 runs in the first innings and getting dismissed for a duck in the second.

The third Test between England and India at Lord’s was the first instance of opener Yashasvi Jaiswal not scoring a half-century across two innings of a Test match against the Ben Stokes-led side since the start of his red-ball career. The southpaw nailed a fine century during the opening game at Leeds before putting 87 runs in the first innings of Edgbaston.

The former Indian top-order batter, Dilip Vengsarkar, has come out to give a few suggestions to the left-handed batter on how he could get better in the future with the runs and technique. He revealed that it would be important for the Mumbai batter to curb his aggressive instincts at times rather than always going hard at the batters.

See Also: Joe Root makes honest confession on Ben Stokes' marathon spell during ENG vs IND 3rd Test at Lord's

Jaiswal is a good player with a lot of potential. But he needs to curb his aggressive instincts at times. In Test cricket, you have to play each ball on its merit. Since his hundred, he hasn’t been among the runs. But consistency is key at the highest level. I expect a lot from him in Test cricket.’ Vengsarkar expressed during a recent interaction on Revsportz.

Dilip Vengsarkar gives key suggestions to Yashasvi Jaiswal before fourth ENG vs IND Test

In the first innings of the Lord’s Test, the eyes were on the battle between the two Rajasthan Royals’ batters, Yashasvi and Jofra Archer. The entire week was built on the Barbados-born, who was making a comeback in the longest format after four years. It was a crazy scene as Jaiswal smashed Chris Woakes for three fours in the opening over of the innings.

But Archer was hard to survive against. He squared up the Mumbai batter in the first innings as he got an outside edge into the hands of the slip fielder. In the second innings, he was hurried by the pace and miscued the pull shot in the air for a simple catch to the fielder. The battle will continue for the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester.

As of now, Jaiswal has punched the Three Lions for 945 Test runs in 15 innings at an average of 67.50 and a strike rate of nearly 80, shouldering three centuries and four half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 214 runs.

Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has called for two key changes in the Indian playing XI ahead of the fourth Test against England, scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 23, at Old Trafford. Vengsarkar backed the inclusion of left-arm duo Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav in place of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar, respectively, in a bid to strengthen India's bowling unit. Arshdeep, who earned his maiden Test call-up for this series, is yet to make his red-ball debut.

In the series so far, the team management has shuffled the third pacer's slot. At Headingley, Prasidh Krishna was preferred, followed by Akash Deep in the second Test when Bumrah was rested. With concerns around pacer workload and a long gap between matches, Vengsarkar believes it’s time to try Arshdeep, who can swing the ball both ways and offer something different. Kuldeep, despite India playing two spinners recently, has been left out, with Washington Sundar being preferred for his batting.

"I would drop Nitish Reddy and perhaps one more player to make room for Arshdeep. I think Siraj and Bumrah should keep their places, but Reddy could make way. Kuldeep Yadav could also replace someone like Washington Sundar. You need five bowlers in a Test match to win it. If your six batters can’t put up a good total, the bowlers need to take responsibility. You can’t win a Test match with part-time bowlers," Vengsarkar told RevSportz.

Arshdeep’s swing, Kuldeep’s spin, and Karun’s last chance?

The veteran further emphasized Arshdeep's suitability for English conditions. “I would pick Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav. Arshdeep is a good left-arm bowler who can move the ball in the air and off the wicket, which is crucial in English conditions. He can also reverse swing the ball, which is important. I have seen him bowl,” he said, backing the youngster for a debut in Manchester.

See Also: 'Expectancy is Tendulkar-Kohli Level'– Daniel Peacock hails India U19 star player, a fan favourite in England

Vengsarkar also spoke about Karun Nair, whose place in the XI is under scrutiny after a string of low scores since replacing Sai Sudharsan at No.3. “Karun Nair is a good player. He has shown promise but needs to convert those 30s and 40s into big scores. He’s an experienced player and knows what he has to do. I’d give him one more Test match to prove himself. He’s capable of scoring a hundred, and I hope he does in the next match,” he added, giving the batter one last opportunity to deliver.

Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has come down hard on the management of Jasprit Bumrah’s workload during the ongoing Test series against England. Following India’s narrow 22-run defeat in the third Test at Lord’s, Vengsarkar questioned the rationale behind resting Bumrah for the second Test, especially after a seven-day gap post the series opener. Bumrah, who was rested at Edgbaston despite India trailing 0-1, is expected to feature in only three of the five Tests.

“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 told RevSportz, referring to Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir. He expressed disappointment in players being allowed to pick and choose games despite being on tour.

“I’m not in favor 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,” he added, underlining that fitness should dictate availability—not workload plans.

Bumrah shines, but India fall short at Lord’s

Despite missing one match, Bumrah remains India’s second-highest wicket-taker in the series, having taken 12 wickets in just two Tests at an average of 21.00, including two five-wicket hauls. However, his absence in the second Test drew criticism as India entered the match trailing and ultimately failed to level the series.

See Also: 'No One Talks About Him.... ' – Former India cricketer on Mohammed Siraj's workload amid Jasprit Bumrah chatter

Reflecting on India’s collapse while chasing 193 on Day 5 at Lord’s, Vengsarkar remarked, “Someone needed to take a risk, and Bumrah tried his best. Jadeja kept the hopes alive for us, but it wasn’t to be. Siraj tried, but you don’t expect your No. 11 to be around for a long time. Jadeja might have been absolutely shattered.” With the loss, England now leads the five-match series 2-1, with the fourth Test scheduled to be played at Old Trafford, Manchester, starting Wednesday, July 23.

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is set to honor India captain Rohit Sharma by naming a stand after him at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on May 16, 2025, as announced during the MCA’s Annual General Meeting on April 15, 2025.  The MCA is fortunate to follow such a recognized path and honor Rohit Sharma for his fine contributions to Mumbai and India throughout his career, including his five IPL titles with the Mumbai Indians and 402 runs at the stadium in international cricket. The announcement was made a day before IPL 2025 resumes on May 17 and is likely a highly emotional decision, especially getting to honor Rohit Sharma.

Wankhede Stadium has a special place in the history of the game, and Mumbai cricket has always honored their great players since 1975, which has established a stand at the Wankhede Stadium with the names of the great Mumbai cricketers who played. As noted by MCA president Ajinkya Naik, "Those stands represent the legacy of those who built Mumbai's cricketing spirit - brick by brick, run by run." Rohit, aptly known as the "Mumbai cha Raja" (King of Mumbai), is a point of pride for the city and its fans, and having Daniel mention his journey to the ground that scripted many moments (especially iconic ones) is a fitting tribute. Here is the list of Mumbai Legends Stands at Wankhede.

Sachin Tendulkar

The Sachin Tendulkar Stand recognizes the "Master Blaster," who scored 34,357 international runs with 100 international centuries, a record. Tendulkar, the greatest Mumbai-born cricketer, scored his last international run at Wankhede in 2013, against South Africa. His stand is dedicated to his unmatched legacy in Indian cricket.

Sunil Gavaskar

The Sunil Gavaskar Stand commemorates the "Little Master," who first reached 10,000 Test runs and who finished with 10,122 Test runs in 125 Tests. Gavaskar is also a Mumbai boy, and his double-century of 205 runs against the West Indies at Wankhede in 1978 is memorable. His stand is fitting for Indian batting's leading light.

Also Read: WATCH: Rajat Patidar spotted batting in RCB nets despite injury worries

Vijay Merchant

The Vijay Merchant Stand pays tribute to the Mumbai great who scored 3,597 runs in 10 Tests, averaging 47.72. Merchant, who was technically brilliant, was also instrumental in Mumbai's wealth and strength in domestic cricket, and now he has a stand at Wankhede Stadium, which signifies his contribution to the cricketing history of the city.

Dilip Vengsarkar

The Dilip Vengsarkar Stand pays tribute to the ‘Colonel,' who made 6,868 runs in Tests, inclusive of three centuries at Wankhede Stadium. A Mumbai stalwart whose elegance set the tone for an entire era of Indian cricket, the stand is named after Vengsarkar to acknowledge his impact on Mumbai cricket.

With Rohit Sharma now part of this group, Wankhede Stadium continues to stand as a temple of Mumbai cricket, serving as inspiration for future generations of cricketers to carry the mantle of these legends.

Former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar dismissed the rumors about Rohit Sharma’s retirement during the Champions Trophy, saying such nonsense talk is unnecessary. He believes senior players like Rohit should have the freedom to decide their future. Rohit, 37, recently denied retiring from ODIs after leading India to their second ICC title. However, he hasn’t said anything about the 2027 World Cup yet.  

“I’m not a fortune teller. There are many matches before the 2027 World Cup, and his form and fitness will decide what happens. It’s too early to say anything, but he has been brilliant as both captain and player. I don’t know why people are speculating it’s not needed. A player of his level should make that call himself,”  Vengsarkar told PTI.

Rohit’s batting was crucial in the 2024 T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy, especially in tough conditions. His attacking style batting, particularly in the final against New Zealand, helped the Indian team handle the slow pitch better.

“The way he has played over the years is simply outstanding. He has scored three double centuries in ODIs what more can I say? Players like Virat and Rohit shine in big matches. The bigger the stage, the better they perform. Just having them on the field puts pressure on the opposition,” said Dilip Vengsarkar, who, as a former chief selector, closely watched both Rohit and Kohli’s early careers. The team’s win was also helped by strong performances from Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul on Dubai’s slow pitches.  

ALSO READ: Shubman Gill wins ICC Player of the Month award for February 2025

“Iyer batted really well, but I wasn’t happy with how he got out in the final. He should have stayed till the end and finished the game. But it’s good to see him realizing his potential,” Vengsarkar said.  

He also praised KL Rahul for his important knocks at No. 6 but questioned why Axar Patel was sent in before him at No. 5. “KL played some key innings, but I’m still not sure about Axar batting ahead of him. Maybe it was just for the left-right combination,” he added. Vengsarkar also gave credit to the selectors for India’s success. “They deserve praise too. They stuck with Rohit after the Australia series, and picking five spinners for the squad turned out to be a brilliant decision.”